China and the Paris Club have agreed to provide the debt assurances required to aid Ghana’s request for $3 billion balance of payment support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
They have accordingly urged all private creditors and other official bilateral creditors to commit to Ghana’s deal without any further delay.
The Paris Club gave the assurance and recommendation a statement issued on Friday, May 12, 2023.
“The creditor committee stresses that the Ghanaian authorities are expected to seek from all private creditors and other official bilateral creditors debt treatments on terms at least as favourable as those being considered by the creditor committee, in line with the comparability of treatment principle.
“Consequently, the creditor committee urges private creditors and other official bilateral creditors to commit without delay to negotiate with Ghana such debt treatments that are crucial to ensure the full effectiveness of the debt treatment for Ghana under the Common Framework,” the statement stressed.
As part of efforts to fast-track the bailout, a creditor committee for Ghana has been formed by countries with eligible claims to see to the quick implementation of the resolution.
The creditor committee is expected to be co-chaired by China and France.
“The creditor committee examined the macroeconomic and financial situation of Ghana, including its long-term debt sustainability, and its formal request for a debt treatment under the “Common Framework for Debt Treatments beyond the DSSI” endorsed under the Saudi G20 Presidency in November 2020, which was also endorsed by the Paris Club.”
The statement added that, “The creditor committee supports Ghana’s envisaged IMF upper credit tranche (UCT) program and its swift adoption by the IMF Executive Board to address Ghana’s urgent financing needs. The creditor committee encourages Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to maximize their support for Ghana to meet its long-term financial needs”.
Just after the assurances, the Finance Ministry took to Twitter to express gratitude to all who have supported Ghana’s cause.
“The Paris Club has today established the OCC (co-chaired by China & France). With the granting of Financing Assurances, Ghana is now ready to go to the IMF Board. Thank you to all our bilateral partners for helping us reach this significant milestone! #ResolvingTogether.”
Earlier on Thursday, Minister for Information Mr. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah had indicated the country would soon secure a bailout from the IMF.
According to him, Ghana’s package was virtually ready to be presented for approval any moment now following the government’s successful engagement with Ghana’s creditors.
Mr Oppong Nkrumah said this was according to information from government sources within the Bretton Woods institution.
