General News of Friday, 25 January 2019

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Menzgold customers are not greedy; stop mocking them – Irbard Ibrahim

International Security Analyst, Irbard Ibrahim play videoInternational Security Analyst, Irbard Ibrahim

International Security Analyst, Irbard Ibrahim is urging Ghanaians to stop insulting customers of Menzgold Ghana Limited as that will only push those people into depression.

According to him, the company was able to gain the trust of the people due to their operations as such customers cannot be tagged as being greedy.

He said, “in an island of despair, Menzgold looked like an oasis of hope for some people but it was deceptive. So, we should do all we can as a country to ensure that this does not happen again in future”.

“These people are in pain and they need help, not mockery,” he added.

The CEO of Irbard Security Consult who announced a support system for the affected customers earlier this week, noted that instead of giving customers false hope, crowd-funding should be put together to support those in need.

“People listen to the media so when it gets to a point where people’s lives are at risk of suicide and depression, media personalities can put together crowd-funding to support the market women and other poor people who invested in the company.”

He also urged investors to break their silence and let their immediate family know about their predicament.

He said, “cuddle your family, tell them you’re a victim, cry with them, seek emotional support from them, that will be a very good start. We are trying to take away the stigma associated with investing in Menzgold, you’re not greedy, you’re just trying to be a smart investor”.



Background

Nana Appiah Mensah and his gold trading firm, Menzgold Ghana Limited, have taken center stage in many discussions across the country following an order from Security and Exchanges Commission to halt operations.

Investors who have had their monies locked up following this order have explored a number of alternatives with the hopes of getting their monies back.

After several unrests, security agencies in the country, issued a warrant for NAM1's arrest and sent same notice to Interpol.

It later came to light that NAM 1 had already been arrested in Dubai in December 2018 following a business deal gone bad and was set to face trial in court.

A delegation was sent from the government to have NAM1 brought back to Ghana to face trial for many charges brought against him including defrauding by false pretences.

The UAE nation however refused to release the Menzgold CEO who also doubles as the CEO of Zylofon Media.

According to the Emirati authorities, NAM1 would only be released to come back home after he has faced trial in Dubai for a botched gold deal.

The issue has since been tainted with politics as the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), have thrown jabs at each over the locked up investments.