Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has reaffirmed that the government must repay GHS150.3 billion in domestic debt over the next four years, a burden inherited from the previous Akufo-Addo administration under the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).
Speaking on The Point of View on Channel One TV on Wednesday, Dr. Forson outlined the repayment obligations, highlighting the significant amounts due in the coming years.
“We have domestic bonds that we inherited. In the next four years put together, we have to repay GHS150.3 billion, of which in 2027 alone we have to repay debt of GHS57.6 billion, and in 2028 we have to repay GHS52.5 billion,” he stated.
Dr. Forson also addressed the challenges within the energy sector, emphasizing the urgent need for financial intervention.
He revealed that the government has allocated GHS28 billion in the 2025 budget to support the sector, citing annual shortfalls exceeding $2 billion.
“We have inherited an energy sector that is on its knees. An energy sector that is throwing out an annual shortfall of in excess of $2 billion every single year that the state must look for money and finance. In the 2025 budget, I have provisioned GHS28 billion to support the energy sector.
“If we had failed to do that, the energy sector by year-end would have seen difficulties, problems, and this is something we inherited,” he explained.
The Finance Minister’s remarks underscore the financial strain facing the government as it navigates both debt repayment obligations and the energy sector crisis.
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