”Ofori-Atta Pay Us Now’: Bondholders Launch Official Picketing Song

The coalition of Individual Bondholders Groups have outdoored its official song for its indefinite picketing at the ministry of Finance at it declares “Operation Occupy Finance” effective Tuesday 11 July ,2023 to demand payment of their matured bonds.

The coalition, comprising the Ghana Individual Bondholders Forum and the Individual Bondholders Association of Ghana, is demanding immediate payment of outstanding principals and coupons.

According to the coalition,  the move is to drum home the urgent need for government to pay attention to the bondholders and their families whose livelihoods are at stake as a result of its refusal to honour its obligations. 

The group accused government of failing to respect and honour the memorandum of understanding (MoU) agreed upon with regards to the payment plan of matured coupons.

The bondholders say the picketing will demonstrate to government how dire the situation of depriving citizens their legitimate investments is as well as secure the execution of its debt profiling agreements is and emphasis that the time to act is now.

A statement issued by the Forum last week expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s lack of action, stating, “Payment of some bonds has been in default for over one hundred (100) days, and it has been over fifty (50) days since agreeing on terms captured in the MoU with no implementation undertaken nor official communication on a way forward.”

The bondholders, who entrusted their savings to the government, expressed their frustration with the situation, describing the government’s conduct as condescending, insensitive, and disrespectful to its own citizens. 

They emphasized the hardships faced by bondholders and their dependents, including the denial of essential medications, school fees, and the ability to support their families.

At a virtual meeting meeting held by the coalition on Sunday 9, July, 2023, the Bondholders say they have notified the police accordingly about their indefinite picketing. 

The bondholders expressed worry that government has not pay much attention to the numerous recommendations they made to government in other to resolve the issue. 

The picketers are are expected to be cladded in red attires between 7:30 am and 9: 00 am to allow members attend to other daily activities. 

Convener for the Bondholders Forum, Senyo Hosi announced the offical song says the picketing is a defining moment of the advocacy and stated that the forum had wished it had not gotten to this stage but government’s inaction allowed it.

Mr Hosi urged all affected bondholders to avail themselves in their red outfits for the exercise scheduled at 7:30 am to 9: 00 am at the premises of the ministry of Finance saying “It is time to stand up and be counted not for yourself alone but posterity”..

The lyrics of the picketing song are;

Verse one

Ofori-Atta,

Ofori-Atta 

Pay Us Now,

Pay Us Now 

Principal and coupon,

Principal and coupon.

Pay Us Now,

Pay Us Now…

Verse two

Nana Addo

Nana Addo

Pay Us Now,

Pay Us Now 

Principal and coupon,

Principal and coupon.

Pay Us Now,

Pay Us Now…