The impressive team at Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah ‘exhibits a great depth of legal and market knowledge’, and is co-led by Seth Asante and Frank Nimako Akowuah. The group is very well known for handling the full range of equity and debt capital markets transactions in the Ghanaian market and abroad. Key areas of instruction for the practice include IPOs, rights issuances, secondary listings, and receivables-backed bonds, to name a few areas of expertise. Senior associate Jonathan Amable has experience in debt capital markets work.
Capital markets in Ghana
Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah
Practice head(s):
Seth Asante; Frank Nimako Akowuah
Other key lawyers:
Jonathan Amable; Sophia Sena Berdie; Gifty Aku Hlordjie
Testimonials
‘Strong industry industry and product knowledge, exceptional understanding of local regulations , and ability to structure innovative solutions for clients . They are market leaders in the Ghana capital markets and they have very strong relationships with an array of stakeholders, built over the years from consistent good work.’
‘The partners are very hands on in their engagement with clients’ transactions, often bringing their expertise and experience to the table and ensuring legal advice provided is top notch. The team is dedicated and proactive in their approach to clients.’
‘BELA has significant depth and bench strength, which ensures that there is always adequate resources assigned to support a transaction. The team is also highly competent, ensuring that high quality work is delivered at all times. This by far, is BELA’s strongest attribute compared to competitor firms in the market.’
‘They all exhibit the same high standard of excellence and superior work ethic. Specific stand-out team members include; Seth Asante, Frank Nimako Akowah, Jonathan Amable, Sophia Sena Berdie, and Gifty Aku Hlordjie.’
‘The team demonstrated excellent knowledge of the law related to the product we were working on, was professional, and patiently explained the issues and how a specific approach was right.’
‘Long legacy in capital markets in Ghana and they have been the legal adviser for many products including many “firsts” in the market. They have a strong team with exceptional partners with strong legal skills backed in addition to an acute commercial sense to ensure their solutions are viable and can be executed.’
‘They are a very diverse firm. Their associates are also very good. They are not cheap but worth the money in what they deliver.’
‘Commercial and legal knowledge exceptional. Strong creative structuring skills and ability to think outside the box to solve problems. Frank Akowuah and Seth Asante have executed all the key transactions in the capital markets in Ghana.’
Key clients
Factorex Holdings Ltd and Supply Chain Finance Plc
Ghana Amalgamated Trust
Izwe Savings & Loans Plc
Databank Brokerage Services Limited
Bayport Financial Services
MobileMoney Limited
Ghana Stock Exchange
Scancom Plc
Africa Export-Import Bank
GCB Bank PLC
Work highlights
- Advising Factorex Holdings Ltd and Supply Chain Finance Plc on the establishment of a note issuance programme through a special purpose vehicle.
- Advising the Government of Ghana (acting through and represented by the Ministry of Finance) on a proposed programme for the exchange of certain notes and bonds issued by the Government of Ghana and selected state-owned enterprises for new bonds to be issued by the Government of Ghana.
- Advised Bayport Savings and Loans Plc on the establishment of an unsecured note programme valued at $46m.
ENSafrica
Under the leadership of Paa Kwesi Morrison, ENSafrica's well-regarded team advises across the full spectrum of capital markets work in the region. The group continues to handle instructions regarding the issuance of senior notes, swap and buy/back transactions, domestic bond programmes, and a broad range of derivative transactions. The practice is also noted for assisting regulatory entities, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Bank of Ghana and the Ghana Stock Exchange, with complex matters. Rachel Dagadu is singled out for her contributions.
Practice head(s):
Paa Kwesi Morrison
Other key lawyers:
Rachel Dagadu
Key clients
FBN Bank (UK) Limited
Goldman Sachs International
Standard Chartered Bank Ghana plc
DC Administrations Services, Inc
Franklin Templeton
Ghana Association of Banks
Ghana Securities Industry Association
Standard Chartered Bank
Work highlights
- Advised Standard Chartered Bank Ghana plc on a $365m note issuance programme for Supply Chain Finance PLC and Factorex Solutions Ghana Ltd.
JLD & MB Legal Consultancy
The versatile team at JLD & MB Legal Consultancy is very experienced in handling debt and equity capital market transactions. The group has a solid track record in advising on IPOs, rights issuances, and listing international companies on the Ghana Stock Exchange. Merene Benyah, Lily Acquaye, Zoe Phillips Takyi-Appiah and Akosua Apea Osafo are key practitioners to note.
Practice head(s):
Merene Benyah; Lily Acquaye; Zoe Phillips Takyi-Appiah; Akosua Apea Osafo
Key clients
Zeepay Ghana LTD
Asante Gold Corporation
GCB Bank Limited
Atlantic Lithium Resources Limited
AKA Ausfuhrkredit-Gesellschaft mbH (AKA Bank Germany)
Swipebill Ghana Limited
KOKA Energy Company Limited
Quad Energy Limited
Yinson Production West Africa Limited
BP Oil International Limited
Fast Pace Transfer Ltd
Access Bank (Ghana) Plc
Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund
C Squared Ghana LTD
Citi N.A
Mitsui & Co
Fidelity Bank Ghana Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Asante Gold Corporation on its secondary listing on the Ghana Stock Exchange.
Koranteng & Koranteng Legal Advisors
At Koranteng & Koranteng Legal Advisors, the team has a wealth of experience advising on securities matters and the issuance of sovereign bonds. Afua Koranteng heads up the practice.
Practice head(s):
Afua Koranteng
Key clients
Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Energy
Electricity Company of Ghana
Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund
Work highlights
- Acted as local counsel to the Government of Ghana (Ministry of Finance) on a $3bn Eurobond Issue (Sovereign Bond Issue).
WTS Nobisfields
Theophilus Tawiah leads the team at WTS Nobisfields, which handles a broad range of capital markets matters. Equity and debt transactions and securities work are key areas of strength for the department.
Practice head(s):
Theophilus Tawiah
Key clients
Venture Capital Trust Fund
NAGA Markets Europe Ltd
Wangara Green Venture Capital Company Ltd
ISF Ghana Venture Capital Limited
SYNERGY CAPITAL MANAGERS
Work highlights
- Advised Wangara Green Ventures Capital on the issuance of a convertible loan note of $200,000 to KOFA Holdings Ltd.