Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Rev. Daniel Ogbarmey Tetteh has warned licensed fund managers against the sale of guaranteed products. 

Speaking at the launch of two mutual fund products by First Finance Corporation, the SEC boss charged fund managers to uphold the regulations of the regulator so the financial market regains confidence and attracts more prospective investors.

“It’s important for investors to bear in mind that licensed fund managers are not supposed to sell guaranteed products or products that promise a specified return over a specified period. The investor public is encouraged to alert the Commission if they should encounter any licensed fund manager flouting this directive,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, Managing Director of First Finance Company, Gloria Akoto lamented the low investor culture in Ghana. She is confident balanced mutual funds like the Elite and Financial Independence Mutual Funds will go a long way to ensure wealth creation and financial inclusion in the long term.

The Financial Independence Fund is an Emergency Fund which aims at investing in high-quality Investment-grade fixed income securities that will provide security and liquidity for investors in emergencies such as temporal loss of income.

The Elite Mutual Fund, on the other hand, is a dual Retirement and Educational Fund that will invest in a combination of Equities, and Fixed Income Securities across the globe. The objective of the Fund is to provide growth in the medium to long-term and to ensure that investors have a comfortable retirement and also have adequately prepared towards their wards college education.

Mrs Akoto, in a presentation, said the two offers proposes to raise a total subscription of GH¢400,000 between September 25th and October 16th 2019.

The Financial Independence Fund has an initial minimum subscription of GH¢200 and thereafter a minimum of GH¢100 to top up. The Elite Fund, on the other hand, has an initial minimum subscription and top up of GH¢100.

Whiles acknowledging the recent financial sector uncertainty, she said Investor Confidence is being restored in the market with a call on all market operators to educate the public on the benefits of investing. She said Wealth is created over a long-term and edged the public to invest in Mutual Funds to diversify and reduce risk as there are always opportunities in times of severe market corrections.

Board Chairman of the Financial Independence Fund, Zack Bentum said, “We believe that the Elite Mutual fund and Financial Independence Mutual Fund will be a successful venture. 

With the growing appetite for education on funds in the Ghanaian market, we believe we will be able to reach our goal of gaining a considerable market share, with a strong emphasis on public education about the benefits of investing and planning for the future.”

First Finance Company Limited (FFC) is a limited liability company with the aim of offering Asset Management Services with focus on advisory and funds management in Ghana’s growing financial market. The Company is licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission Ghana.

The objective of the company is to make investments attractive and easily accessible to the investing public.