Ato Forson Advocates for Equitable Resolution to Africa’s $1.3 Trillion Debt Crisis

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has reiterated the urgent need for a more equitable global response to Africa’s mounting debt crisis, which has now surpassed US$1.3 trillion.

Speaking in Accra after receiving a petition from the African Regional Organization of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) in partnership with the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Ghana, Dr. Forson acknowledged the scale of the problem but stressed that outright rejection of debt repayment was not a viable option.

According to him, Africa cannot simply declare a refusal to repay its obligations, adding that what is required is a fairer and more sustainable framework that considers the plight of heavily distressed economies, including Ghana.

The petition submitted by ITUC-Africa and TUC Ghana called for a total cancellation of Africa’s external debt, arguing that the continent’s huge repayments were undermining social investments, job creation, and poverty reduction efforts.

Dr. Forson welcomed the advocacy push, noting that debt restructuring and relief discussions have gained renewed global attention, particularly as many African economies grapple with the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, high inflation, and currency depreciation.

“There are differences between we can’t pay and we won’t pay. We can’t pay means something significant has happened. For example you saying you will not pay means you have the resources but you deliberately don’t want to pay. That is debt repudiation but when you say you cannot pay, it means something significant has happened as to why you cannot pay.

“In the case of these 23 African countries, their debt service cost has crowded out very important spending and so if you conduct a critical debt sustainability analysis , they simply cannot pay,” he stated

He emphasized that Ghana, which has been restructuring its own external and domestic debts, serves as a clear example of why the international community must adopt a more humane and inclusive debt resolution mechanism.

The call for debt relief has been growing louder across the continent, with unions, civil society, and policymakers arguing that without decisive action, Africa risks being trapped in a cycle of unsustainable borrowing and austerity.