Govt to Honour GH¢10.8bn DDEP Coupon Payment on Schedule – Ato Forson
By Esther Korantemaa Offei
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has assured Parliament that the government will honour the seventh Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) coupon payment of GH¢10.8 billion on August 18, 2026, as part of efforts to sustain investor confidence and fiscal stability.
Presenting the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review, Dr. Forson said the government had already fulfilled its sixth DDEP coupon obligation by paying GH¢10.1 billion on February 17, 2026, on time and in full.
“Let me use this opportunity to assure this House that it will be paid on time and in full,” he said, referring to the upcoming August payment.
The Finance Minister also disclosed that since January 2025, the government has paid US$2.1 billion in principal and interest to Eurobond holders without placing undue pressure on Ghana’s foreign exchange reserves.
Reflecting on the country’s economic recovery, Dr. Forson said timely debt servicing has restored confidence among both domestic and international investors.
“There was a time when the world doubted us. Today, every payment made on time answers that doubt. Payment after payment, coupon after coupon, Ghana is proving one thing beyond dispute, we now keep our word. Market confidence is rebuilt not through speeches but through repayment,” he stated.
According to him, disciplined fiscal policies have reduced government borrowing costs by half, generating savings of GH¢4.2 billion over the past six months.
He added that falling Treasury bill rates have contributed to lower lending rates across the banking sector, making borrowing more affordable for households and businesses.
Dr. Forson further noted that Ghana’s Eurobond yields have fallen by about 300 basis points since the beginning of the year, while the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio has declined to 45 percent.
“The direction is right, the momentum is real, and the foundation is solid,” he said, adding that government would continue to exercise fiscal discipline despite improving market conditions.
