Despite reaching an agreement with the government, members of the Pensioner Bondholders Forum are yet to receive payment for their matured coupons.
The bondholders were looking forward to their funds on Monday, May 15, following the suspension of their picketing at the Ministry of Finance after five days.
However, checks with the group suggest that the accounts of members had not been credited as of close of business on Monday.
Dr. Adu Anane Antwi, convenor of the Pensioner Bondholders Forum, tells Citi Business News that they remain hopeful of government’s assurances.
“For now, we cannot say it has been honored or not. If the instruction was issued on Monday, it is not likely the money will hit the account the same day. None of the members has said that he or he she has received it so let’s wait till Tuesday or Wednesday then we can confirm payment or not. We just hope that government will pay. I am pretty sure they are going to pay all these arrears, so we are waiting.”
Members of the Forum had been picketing at the Ministry for five consecutive days which prompted a meeting between the parties and an arrangement to pay the outstanding coupons and principals commencing May 15.
At the instance of the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Dr. Adam Amin, a meeting was convened on Friday, May 12, where government assured the pensioners to pay all outstanding coupons while discussions surrounding principal payments continue.
“In the conclusion of the meeting after we have had deliberated on issues, government has assured to pay all outstanding coupons up to Monday, May 15. And then continue to now service coupons as and when they are due”, the convenor had said.
The Forum in a statement however indicated that should the Ministry renege on any of the points on the agreement, its members shall resume picketing.
Source: Ghana Business