It’s unreasonable to continue picketing – Ofori-Atta tells Pensioner

Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta says Pensioner Bondholders’ picketing at the Ministry of Finance is meaningless as government has pledged to honour its obligations to bondholders, including retirees who voluntarily opted not to participate in the programme.

Addressing the retirees at the Finance Ministry, Mr Ofori-Atta maintained “Really, there is no reason for us to be sitting here because that assurance has been given on paper.”

He questioned: “I want to know what it is that you are afraid of or that you think will not happen,” adding “My issue is that now you have very little of the old bonds existing.

“This means that, in the event of a crisis, your ability to trade your papers is diminished. But that is the choice you made,” Mr Ofori-Atta said.

The group has been picketing at the Finance Ministry demanding that the government makes an official exemption of pensioners from the domestic debt swap.