Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo Says She Will Speak The Truth Whether NPP Or NDC
Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo has defended her public stance on Ghana’s Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) and reiterated that she will speak out when she believes something is wrong or unfair, regardless of which political party is in power. Akuffo made the comments while reflecting on her decision to join pensioners who picketed the Ministry of Finance in 2023 over the controversial DDEP policy.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition, Akuffo explained that she believes it is important to stand up against what she sees as unlawful or unjust actions, whether the New Patriotic Party (NPP) or the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is governing. She said that if she feels strongly about an issue and there is no one else speaking up, she feels compelled to voice her concerns.
Akuffo emphasised that even though she was not part of the decision-making process that led to bondholders taking haircuts under the DDEP, she still stands by her choice to support the pensioners’ protest. She said that if she had been in the boardroom where the policy was adopted and disagreed with it, she would have voiced her opposition then as well. Her commitment to transparency and accountability, she said, is not driven by political affiliation but by principle.
The Domestic Debt Exchange Programme, introduced to help Ghana manage its debt, included provisions that significantly affected investors, including retirees and pensioners who depended on bond yields for retirement income. The programme drew strong reactions from various segments of the public, especially those who felt the terms were detrimental to their savings.
Akuffo’s comments have reignited discussion about civic engagement and the role of respected public figures in holding government policies to account. By saying she will speak the truth whether the NPP or NDC is in power, she signalled that her involvement in public discourse is driven by principles of fairness and justice rather than party politics.
