Finally, after 18 long months, many of Ghana’s private lenders have reached an agreement with the government! This is a step towards debt cancellation for Ghana – but it has taken far too long. Right now, my country is still deep in a debt crisis which is destroying millions of lives. 

Before the election, supporters like you helped win a commitment in the Labour party manifesto to “tackling unsustainable debt” for countries like mine. Now that Labour is in power, I’m writing to the Prime Minister calling on him to stick to his pledge and commit to a new debt justice law. Will you add your name? 

Private lenders put profit before people – without laws to make them cancel debt, they're free to drag their feet and make unfair demands. Their actions are prolonging the debt crisis – and its ordinary people who are suffering. 

In Ghana right now, public services are in crisis. Pupils aren’t getting exercise books, and some schools don’t even have chairs or desks for the children. In hospitals, patients are asked to pay for medication that is meant to be free. Everywhere you go you see the impact of the debt crisis.   

Ghanaians have been out on the streets protesting and organising strikes in their workplaces. Will you stand with us and sign my letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer? 

Because 90% of the debts owed by lower-income countries to banks, hedge funds and oil traders are overseen by UK law, a new law in the UK could help people all over the globe to win justice. Let’s build on the momentum you’ve already created and push for a debt justice law in the UK government’s first months in power. 

Thank you for standing with me. 

In solidarity, 

Bernard Anaba, Ghanaian debt campaigner