DDEP: NPP gov’t never intended to impose hardship on you, forgive us – Finance Minister to Ghanaians

The Minister of Finance, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam has apologised to Ghanaians for the hardships imposed on them through the implementation of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).

The government led by the Ministry of Finance under former Minister Ken Ofori-Atta embarked on a Domestic Debt Exchange Programme after the country went to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to seek support to save the economy.

Addressing a town hall meeting in Accra on Tuesday, August 6, Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam apologised to Ghanaians for the hardships caused through the programme, stressing that it was never the intention of government.

“We decided to restructure our debts because it was one of the requirements by the IMF. We started with the domestic debt exchange programme. The domestic debt exchange programme was very successful, achieving 95 percent participation. On this note, I would like to appeal to the people of this country to forgive us.

“It is never the intention of any government to impose hardships on its people, more so the NPP government that has demonstrated that we want to reduce the burden of the Ghanaian people,” Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam said.

At the Townhall Meeting, the Minister said the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme was only implemented because it was necessary at the time.

He explained that if the programme was not implemented, the country’s development and economy would not be what it is today.

“All the support you gave us during the DDEP has contributed largely to the recovery our economy is seeing today.

“This is why I want to appeal to you to forgive us but also to thank you on behalf of the president for the sacrifices and for the efforts that you all have made to participate in the DDEP,” Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam added.