Chief Executive Officer for Irbard Security Consult, Mr. Irbard Ibrahim has called on the National Peace Council, Regional House of Chiefs, the National Commission on Civic Education, faith-based and other civil society organisations to put together a goodwill committee that seeks to give emotional and psychological assistance to victims of MenzGold.
The gold trading company since its collapse in August 2018 has been alleged to have monies of about one million Ghanaians locked. While, some of its aggrieved customers have sued the company and its C.E.O Nana Appiah Mensah popular known as NAM1 for breach of contract, others have called on government to come to their aid and help retrieve their monies.
But announcing a support system for the affected customers, Mr. Ibrahim said his support system which will appoint a clinical psychologist and financial analyst to help the victims will operate free of charge.
According to him, making mockery of the victims and or blaming politicians will do little to mitigate the pain which is driving those affected towards depression and suicidal thoughts.
“I am sorry to say that retrieving every MenzGold investor’s principal will be an over stretch for the state even if all assets are confiscated and auctioned. Of course the state cannot also use taxes paid by hardworking farmers and market women to pay for the luxurious excesses of a select few. But making mockery of them will do little to mitigate their pain. A kind word of sympathy from each of us will go a long way to put their hearts at rest even if their monies are not retrieved eventually.
“This issue is a national security issue and we can spare no effort or resources to protect the lives of our compatriots that have found themselves in this sad situation”.
“I am therefore glad to announce the start of ‘operation support centre’ for MenzGold victims. It is a centre where free services are provided for all MenzGold victims”.
The Chief Executive further urged victims affected to be open about their emotional trauma and seek counsel.
“To the investors, full disclosure to families at this moment will be of great help to the emotional healing process. Don’t keep your investment a secret from your family. Gather your wife our husband and kids around, tell them you are a victim and call on them to be a source of emotional support for you at this difficult time. Keeping your investment a secret will only increase the internal pain and regrets”, he added.
“Our services are free and we urge all MenzGold victims to go through the support programme by engaging our offices in Abelenkpe, Accra. We urge all victims to also be at ease with yourselves because having saved with MenzGold does not make you dumb or greedy.”
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.
