The General Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced its plans to introduce an Investor Protection Fund to provide some minimum protection for investors in the wake of the Debt Exchange Programme.
The move, according to SEC, is aimed at reassuring investors who may have been affected by the recent debt restructuring, which has caused significant upheaval in the financial markets.
As indicated by SEC, the Fidelity Fund, which is currently in place, is reserved for stock market players and activity, while the new fund will act as a broad-based investment fund to provide minimum protection for those in the asset management industry, adding that: “The aim is to create a safety net for investors who may have lost money as a result of the DDEP, which was launched to restructure the country’s debt and reduce its debt-to-GDP ratio.”
The Director of the General Securities and Exchange Commission, Rev. Daniel Ogbarmey Tetteh in a speech averred that the protection provided by the new fund will be minimum, and investors should not rely on it fully indemnifying them.
However, he expressed hope that the fund will help to restore confidence in the financial markets, which have been hit hard by the recent debt restructuring.
“The Commission is currently working with a consultant to structure the fund and mobilize funds to support asset management businesses affected by the DDEP. I am hopeful that the setup process will be completed by the end of the year, and the fund can be funded in a way that serves its purpose.
“More so, the fund must be designed correctly to avoid unintended consequences. If the fund is not designed properly, it could lead to investors being reckless with their investments, assuming that the fund will bail them out. Therefore, the fund must strike a fine balance between providing confidence to investors and avoiding the moral hazard of reckless investment behavior.”
Rev. Daniel Ogbarmey Tetteh
Restoring Confidence In The Securities Market
According to Rev. Tetteh, it is worth noting that the introduction of the Investor Protection Fund is not a new concept. Many countries have similar funds in place to protect investors from losses due to market volatility and other factors.
However, the fund, he said, must be designed in a way that is appropriate for the local market and takes into account the unique challenges faced by investors in Ghana.
He further noted that the creation of the Investor Protection Fund is just one of the measures being taken by the General Securities and Exchanges Commission to restore confidence in the financial markets.
“The Commission has also introduced stricter regulations to prevent market manipulation and other fraudulent activities, and has launched an investor education campaign to help people make informed investment decisions. With the right safeguards in place, the fund would provide much-needed reassurance to investors in Ghana’s financial markets.”
Rev. Daniel Ogbarmey Tetteh
