Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has sounded the alarm over Ghana’s looming domestic debt repayment burden, revealing that GH¢111 billion in Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) bonds are set to mature in 2027 and 2028.
Presenting the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review to Parliament on Thursday, July 23, Dr. Ato Forson cautioned that the country must prepare for this significant financial obligation. “In two years alone, Ghana has to repay GH¢111 billion, 111, Mr. Speaker. This is the true Agenda 111 Ghana must deal with,” he stressed.
Dr. Ato Forson attributed the massive repayment challenge to the structure of the DDEP, which he argued was never meant to provide a permanent solution to Ghana’s debt problems.
Instead, he said, the programme merely postponed repayment, shifting the burden to coming years. “Its architect mortgaged tomorrow to survive today,” the minister remarked.
The Finance Minister assured Parliament that government is adopting a proactive, forward-looking debt management strategy to honour these obligations without destabilizing the economy.
He emphasized the importance of prudent debt management and careful fiscal planning to restore investor confidence and strengthen Ghana’s long-term economic resilience.
The DDEP was a key component of Ghana’s broader debt restructuring efforts, designed to restore macroeconomic stability and secure IMF-backed support. While it provided short-term relief, it also deferred substantial repayments, leaving the country with a formidable challenge in the years ahead.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com