Gold Coast Fund Management has explained that it had to beef up security at some of its branches after some aggrieved customers issued threats to harm them. 

In the Kumasi offices, for instance, the firm had to shut down for two days in order to avoid attacks on its staff and law-abiding customers, it said.

Some aggrieved customers of Gold Coast Fund Management say they are losing patience with the way fund managers have handled them as they struggle to access their funds. 

Reacting to the situation, General Manager – Investor Relations at Gold Coast Securities, Benjamin Afreh told Joy News that even though most of their customers have decided to extend the term of their investment in line with the review of the sector; those who have decided to withdraw their investments are being paid on a schedule.       

From Friday, March 1 to Tuesday, March 5, customers have been thronging the premises of the investment firm for their money, but they always return home empty-handed. The offices had been under lock and key.

This, Mr Afreh explained “the Kumasi office of Gold Coast closed down briefly for two main reasons [and] not that we running away or anything but that some customers had threatened to harm our staff.”

“In order that we will prevent anything of the sort from happening we asked that they close down just for two days as we make security arrangements and then put a notice there for everybody who comes there that we are not running away but we wanted to sort out the security issue,” explained.

The General Manager believes someone went to the facility to remove the notice announcing the two-day temporary closure.

He noted that his outfit has “been in touch with the police” to help them secure the place.

“We seek to protect our staff; we also seek to protect customers as well…but I’m sure today if you go the offices should be opened,” he added.

Asked about paying the aggrieved customers, Mr Afreh explained that they are currently working with customers to “resolve” the situation.

He assured that the company is working to fulfil its payment schedule to customers. “Payments have been going on...”