Deputy Chief Scribe for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Koku Anyidoho is blaming President Akufo-Addo’s government for the recent media blitzkrieg on Franklin Templeton Investments over the $2.25 billion bond saga.
He strongly asserts the current administration did not go through the proper means in concluding the transaction.
According to Koku Anyidoho, though the country has floated several bonds in the past, it is remarkable the way Akufo-Addo government's announcement of this transaction has generated such controversy.
The Ministry of Finance has described attacks on the $2.25 billion bond issued recently as baseless with the Minority group in parliament, led by former Deputy Finance Minister, Mr. Cassiel Ato Forson alleging that the issuance was done in secrecy, denying other investors an opportunity to participate in the bond.
The Minority further alleged that the transaction was “cooked” to favour a particular investor, Franklin Templeton, while the transaction did not receive parliamentary approval.
But responding in a press release, the Ministry of Finance lashed out that “Hon Cassiel Ato Forson, a former Deputy Finance Minister, knows very well the workings and processes for the issue of domestic bonds and as such, should not be making such baseless allegations.”
“The allegations are maliciously designed to malign and negate the positive news and rave reviews this landmark transaction has garnered, both locally and internationally,” it said.
In their response, the Ministry explained that “the issuance was not shrouded in secrecy nor was it “cooked” for any particular investor”.
“The Bookrunners, (Barclays, Stanbic and SAS), on behalf of the Ministry of Finance have been mandated since 2015 to issue these domestic bonds on a regular basis as per the debt issuance calendar which Ministry of Finance (MoF) puts out every quarter.”
But reacting to this on Okay FM’s 'Ade Akye Abia' Morning Show, the Deputy General Secretary for the NDC pontificated there are so many issues which are not clear about the bond especially the alleged $17 million interest on the bond.
“There are so many issues which are not clear on the bond and that is why we are calling for full disclosure . . . today if Franklin Templeton should pull out of this deal, Ken Ofori-Atta will have a lot to explain to Ghanaians,” he averred.
He however recalled that during the eras of Dr. Kwabena Dufuor and Seth Terpker as Finance Ministers respectively, there were constant media interactions either by themselves or their deputies to speak clearly on the various bonds under their regimes, but the same cannot be said about Ken Ofori-Atta under Akufo-Addo’s government.
“So why is that under Akufo-Addo, it is as if the Finance Ministry is occupied by ghosts? Even press release, there is no one to sign it except to attribute it to the entire Finance Ministry. Is the Finance Ministry a human being?”, he quizzed.
He underscored that the opposition NDC and its Minority in Parliament cannot wait till 4 years before criticizing Nana Addo’s government as Ghanaians deserve to know the happenings in order to vote accordingly.
He therefore stated that the failure of NPP is not an automatic entry for the NDC to form the next government; reiterating that “if we don’t craft proper strategy, Ghanaians won’t understand what is going on with Nana Addo’s government.”
Even Press Realses Are Not Signed - Koku Questions
Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
What about SADA GEDA Ameri Ghana Gas NCA SBA and others My friend stop dreaming nobody has forgetting about your stealing monies from NCA Ports SBA AMA and more do not belittle Ghanaian NPP is just five month old in office so what are your base of judgement let me you in lest than two years no mindful Ghanaian will remember NDC because you are all the same create loot and share
Massa; let's all try and be fair minded on political issues c because we all know the NDC damaged GHana by promoting stilling and roobed Ghana but that does not mean we should also condone FRAUD by this government-NO WAY !!!!!; because like Rev Martey said there some kriminal elements within this Nana Addo government that we all need to watch carefully ; the truth is that there is a whiff of fraud about Ken Ofori Atta's bond acquisition through FT ; questions are been asked but it seems NO credible answers are comming out from Ken Ofori Atta and the government ; why is it that a finance minister enters into a bond contract and the AG is not even aware and therefore cannot answer questions on the matter ; mind you this not a private contract with Ken Ofori -Atta ; it is a Ghana government contract which means we are all entitled to know why besides everbody knows the longer you borrow the higher fees you pay so what is the rational for borrowing for good 15 years to saddle Ghana with huge debts besides a simple calculation will tell everybody that a bond of $2.5 will mean Ghana pay over $15bn in 15 years ; does that make SENSE !!!!!!!; the fact that Woyome stole and the NDC are tainted with stilling and fraud today does not mean we should condone non transparecy in this bond issue because a simple explanation will help dispel the doubts on the matter ; besides it does not mattereven if you jail Jon Mahama and all these NDC thiff ; the issue to me is why cannot Ken Ofori Atta come out and answer simple question because I fear that sooner or later a BIG scandal may engulf Nana Addo because of this bond issue; the propaganda of the NPP should go into over drive to dispel any rumours of FRAUD ; how could you be hunting fraud when you yourself is engaged in FRAUD !!!!!! .
the money Woyome gave you please return the money because special prosecutor bill is passed woyome will be chased and he will mention your name as beneficial of create, loot and share philosophy
ANYIDOHO WHO KILLED PROF MILLS? IF YOU ARE A SENSEBLE PERSON YOU WOULD HAVE EXPOSE THEM AND STOP SMOKING JAMBA AND MAKING NOISE IN OUR EARS. THERE IN NOBODY TAKING YOU SERIOUS IN THIS COUNTRY.CAN YOU COMPARE YOURSELF TO MR OFORI ATTA? THAT YOUR BIG MOUTH TALKING IS NOT HELPING YOU AND YOUR NDC. YOUR CORRUPTION ISSUES IS SO MUCH,THAT IS THE MAIN REASON WHY YOU LOST THE ELECTION.YOU CANNOT COMPARE YOURSELF WITH ANYONE OF NANA ADDO'S APPOINTEES. TELL YOUR CORRUPT PRESIDENT AND HIS NDC OFFICIALS WHO LOOTED FROM GHANA COFFERS TO BE READY IN JAIL.BIG MAN WITHOUT COMMON SENSE.
You see, Ato Forson is just leading these NDC guys into ditch. It's a pity all the Gurus in the party have gone into hiding with the few like Koku, Asiedu Nketia, Allotey Jacobs, Kwesi Pratt now carrying the burden of explaining matters bordering on the economy. Koku, I thought you and I swore never to smoke the thing again, what happened?
Koku, the guys are doing serious work to contain the mess and pilfering you and your group subjected Ghana to so stop your games because Ghanains know you people too much. You cannot deceive anybody anymore. We know why you are doing this but do not worry the special prosecutor will calm all the noise. WE SHALL COLLECT ALL THE STOLEN MONIES!!!!!
Koku I think black magic as in aduro that some politicans are using is confusing rational thinkers! Don't you think Koku?
Massa; lets face it we touted for Nana Addo to come to power but frankly this bond issue by this guy Ken Ofori smacks of some dirty dealings or insider manipulation and a rip off for Ghana ;I think Nana Addo should request proper briefing on the issues and all relevant details published because if Nana addo allows his cousin Ken Ofori Atta to drag his good name into repute frankly he will lose a lot of respect and the goodwill that Ghanaians have him because getting rid of collective stilling in Ghana today is very difficult ; Nana Addo should not cultivate such dubious accolade ; for me there are two questions that Ken Ofori Atta should answer ; was there any collusion or insider dealing to sell the bonds to FT ; of course the answer is NO !!!!!!; but then why does not Ken Offori Atta provide the information in the media besides what are the details of the bonds issues and the part played by the runners -Barclays; if there were credidble transparency opened to potential buyers of the bond and no insider dealings why does not Ken Ofori Atta provide the evidence ; mine second concerns are the interest calcultion and rate at which the bonds is payable after 15 years ; for me basic calculation of around 18-19% is a shylock rate and a rip off and plain fraud ;what are the anecdotes notes to borrow at such a high rate by Ken Offori Atta ; I think Koku and the NDC have cause to ask questions ; for me perhaps ; there are legitimate reasons for such high rate borrowing and why FT was allocated all the bonds but Ken Ofori should come out and state the reasons or make the reasons known to a select few people to quell the questioning ; the only plus about this deal was that it was cedi related bond issue which will affect our domestic debt and our overseas debt besides aspects of future the exchange rate should be taken account ; the problem is that the NDC have not got the economic expertise to knock holes in Ken OforiAttas ; debt accumulation ; don't forget Ken offori ATTA is all a KROOK AS THEY COME ; NEVER TRUST AN AKYEM MAN !!!!!!!
Koku it appears you have started smoking the thing again.
Koku has no credibility so ignore him.very ***barred word*** guy.