Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah > Accra, Ghana > Firm Profile
Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah Offices
4 MOMOTSE AVENUE
ADABRAKA, ACCRA
Ghana
Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah > The Legal 500 Rankings
Ghana > Banking and finance Tier 1
The excellent banking and finance team at Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah is renowned for handling a broad range of key deals in Ghana. Under the joint leadership of Seth Asante and Frank Nimako Akowuah, the group acts for domestic and international lenders, banks and other financial institutions in a wide spectrum of work, spanning lending, project finance and trade finance to asset finance, derivatives and debt restructuring. The department is also highly regarded for advising on the financing aspects of infrastructure, energy, natural resources, power and manufacturing projects. Regulatory work is also covered by the practice, which also works in tandem with prominent international law firms on multi-jurisdictional mandates. Senior associate Sophia Sena Berdie is a name to note.Practice head(s):
Seth Asante; Frank Nimaako Akowuah
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Very reliable and professional.’
Key clients
Standard Chartered Bank
Africa Trade Finance Limited
EDFI Management Company SA
GCB Bank PLC
Norfund
Apple Bank for Savings
Absa Bank
Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij Voor Ontwikkelingslanden N.V.
J.P Morgan
Citibank
Work highlights
- Advised Norfund on the provision of a $10.3m convertible secure loan to Miniplast Limited.
- Advised Absa Ghana on providing a $8m senior secured term loan facility to Ghanaian subsidiaries of Moove Ghana BV to finance the purchase of light passenger vehicles.
- Acted as Ghanaian legal counsel for Standard Chartered Bank in connection with a $1.3bn receivables-backed trade finance facility issued to Ghana Cocoa Board.
Ghana > Capital markets Tier 1
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.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.
Ghana > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1
Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah is highly regarded in the Ghanian market for its established track record in handling a wide spectrum of corporate and commercial matters. The team regularly handles M&A transactions, joint ventures and corporate takeovers, and is widely known for its strength in assisting international clients with the divestment and restructuring of local subsidiaries. The department also handles a steady workflow of corporate compliance matters, and has an excellent reputation for acting in large-scale corporate due diligence exercises. Seth Asante is sought after for handling large M&A deals, and Frank Nimako Akowuah has considerable expertise advising on local and cross-border corporate matters. Other key practitioners include Susan-Barbara Boye and Angela Gyasi.Practice head(s):
Seth Asante; Susan-Barbara Boye; Angela Gyasi; Frank Nimako Akowuah
Other key lawyers:
Sophia Sena Berdie; Gifty Aku Hlordjie
Testimonials
‘BELA has significant depth and bench strength, ensuring their ability to adequately resource transactions and deliver high quality work for their clients.’
Key clients
Scancom Plc (MTN Ghana)
Ministry of Finance
Oasis Capital Limited
Nitron Group LLC
Vanguard Assurance
Vodafone International Holdings B. V
Tullow Oil PLC
Sanlam
Amethist and AfricInvest
Work highlights
- Advising Oasis Capital Limited on the establishment of a $100m investment fund.
- Assisting KG Africa with the sale of the Chirano gold mine valued at $225m.
- Advising Boston Investments, a real estate company, in connection with the proposed sale of One Airport Square.
Ghana > Dispute resolution Tier 1
The outstanding team at Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah is renowned in the market for its dispute resolution. Corporate and commercial litigation is prominent in the group's workload, and the department is regularly instructed in contentious matters in the telecoms, mining, and oil and gas sectors. Other key drivers of work include debt recovery matters, construction disputes, and contentious employment and labour cases. Additionally, the practice has a solid track record in domestic and international arbitration and mediation. Ace Anan Ankomah, Daad Akwesi, Nania Owusu-Ankomah, Gloria Cofie and Golda Denyo are all highly regarded practitioners. Senior associate Shirley Afoley Otu is singled out for her contributions.Practice head(s):
Ace Anan Ankomah; Daad Akwesi; Nania Owusu-Ankomah; Gloria Cofie; Golda Denyo
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah (BELA) Dispute Resolution team is one of the best there is, if not the best. BELA has always used the best billing technology in the market.’
‘The team uses the collaborative team approach to provide the best service. The BELA team is one of the most diverse teams with women playing significant leading roles in the team.’
‘Ace Ankomah is the leading light and thought leader in traditional as well as new trends in the industry. Nania is as knowledgeable and articulate as they come. Her research skills are excellent. ’
‘The team’s strengths lie in its professionalism, competence and diligence. The key capabilities include strong research skills and sound judgment. The team also keeps abreast with current developments in the industry.’
‘Ace Ankomah stands out as very knowledgeable, highly competent and most professional.’
‘Attention to detail. Appropriately qualified and highly experienced lawyers. Availability of lawyers, when needed by client. Quick response to emails and phone calls. Prompt reports to client on litigation being conducted on behalf of client .’
‘Pragmatic approach to resolution of legal matters – available for a phone call or in- person meetings – good drafting skills – able to decipher the key legal issues in complex disputes.’
Key clients
Bank of Ghana
Junction Shopping Mall Limited
Vodafone Ghana
Stena Drilling Limited
FBN Bank UK
Ghana Oil Palm Development Company Limited
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Security and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Epiroc Equipment Ghana Ltd
Alwan Hitti
Game Discount World and Massmart Management and Finance
Stanbic Bank Ghana Limited
ATC Tower (Ghana) Ltd
GOS Limited (Schlumberger)
Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation
Hogan Lovells
Aviation Handling Services Ghana
Ecobank Ghana Ltd
Chirano Gold Mines
Tetra Pak Global Distribution
Work highlights
- Represented Vodafone Ghana before the Supreme Court in a claim for compensation in respect of land valued at $16,009,920 by the High Court.
- Successfully represented Ericsson, a telecommunications company, in a wrongful termination suit.
- Acted for the Securities and Exchange Commission in a license revocation matter.
Ghana > Energy Tier 1
Seth Asante and Seyram Dzikunu jointly head up the practice at Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah, which has a first-rate reputation in Ghana for advising on key energy and natural resources transactions. The group's expertise spans regulatory issues, power project agreements, project structuring, mergers and acquisitions, as well as development and financing issues. Thermal and renewable energy matters are a key driver of work for the team, which is also recognised for its strength in the oil and gas space; key clients include private equity funds, financial services companies, investors and prominent oil companies. At associate level, Godwin Nkrumah is active on project development transactions in sectors such as oil and gas, industrials, manufacturing and energy.Practice head(s):
Seth Asante; Seyram Dzikunu
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Tullow Ghana Limited
Valaris
Vitol SA
Afriprop Consulting
Kosmos Energy Ghana
Coral Energy
PGS ASA
PetroSA
Texas Oiltech
Work highlights
- Advised Impala Terminals Group S.à r.l. on the acquisition of Puma Energy’s global storage business and the Ghanaian law aspects of the financing for the acquisition.
- Advised Valaris on the Ghanaian law aspects of the refinancing of its existing credit facilities valued at $1.3bn.
- Advised PGS ASA on the Ghanaian law aspects of the refinancing of its existing credit facilities through the placement of a senior secured bond valued at $450m.
Ghana > Infrastructure projects Tier 1
The highly-regarded team at Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah continues to advise clients on all aspects of project developments. The group is active in work involving railways, roads, ports and harbours, as well as the construction and aviation sectors. Other key areas of instruction include complex construction projects, and large-scale infrastructure and real estate deals. Seth Asante has an established track record in leading on significant project development mandates, often involving transport and maritime infrastructure developments. Elizabeth Ashun, who is dual qualified in Ghana and England and Wales, is well versed in handling complex infrastructure and real estate transactions.Practice head(s):
Seth Asante; Elizabeth Ashun
Key clients
PricewaterhouseCoopers (Ghana) Limited
African Export–Import Bank
Team Engineering SpA and Vision Consult Limited
Devtraco Builders Limited (Devtraco
Deloitte (Ministry of Finance)
Webber Wentzel
Swami India
Ghana Association of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS)
Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P. I
African American Male Education network (A2mend)
Baker & McKenzie
Work highlights
- Acting as legal sub-consultant to PricewaterhouseCoopers in connection with the Update of Feasibility Studies for the Development of the Eastern Railway Line, and a new feasibility study on the Greenfield Extension from Bosuso to Kyebi and Ejisu to Eduadin.
- Advising Afreximbank on a proposed debt facility of $65,800,000 to be issued to a project company, in connection with the construction of a floating dry dock at the Takoradi Port.
- Assisting Swami India Ghana Limited with the acquisition and development of land for a mixed-use development project.
Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah > Firm Profile
Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah(Bentsi-Enchill) is a leading full-service law firm in Ghana with in-depth expertise and experience in providing first-rate legal services for international and local clients in all sectors of the economy.
We are well-recognised for our leadership and stand out for providing commercially relevant legal services and innovative solutions to our clients.
What drives us is our long-term commitment to providing legal services with the highest level of professionalism and quality, as well as building our teams to help our clients succeed and take advantage of the right opportunities.
Bentsi-Enchill operates under four (4) specialised partner-led practice groups.
Our practice groups are:
Financial nstitutions and capital markets
Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah was founded in 1990 with the mission to provide our clients with excellent market-leading legal services. Over the years, we have built a reputation for our extensive knowledge and experience from working on the most complex transactions and disputes for foreign investors, local companies, statutory entities and the government.
Our approach is simple. We think differently and lead the way in creating structures that meet the needs of our clients. We understand that our clients operate in increasingly challenging times and are committed to partnering with them to help them navigate these challenges and deliver the highest-quality advice and service.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Disputes | Ace Anan Ankomah, Managing Partner / Head | aaankomah@bentsienchill.com | +233.302.208888 |
Energy and Infrastructure | Seth Kwasi Asante, Head | seth.asante@bentsienchill.com | +233.302.208888 |
Disputes | Daad Akwesi | dakwesi@bentsienchill.com | +233.302.208888 |
Financial Institutions and Capital Markets | Seth Kwasi Asante, Head | seth.asante@bentsienchill.com | +233.302.208888 |
Corporate Commercial | Susan Adjorkor Kumapley, Head | susan-b.a.kumapley@bentsienchill.com | +233.302.208888 |
Corporate Commercial | Angela Gyasi | aagyasi@bentsienchill.com | +233.302.208888 |
Financial Institutions and Capital Markets | Frank Akowuah | fnakowuah@bentsienchill.com | +233.302.208888 |
Energy and Infrastructure | Seyram Dzikunu | sdzikunu@bentsienchill.com | +233.302.208888 |
Disputes | Golda Denyo | gdenyo@bentsienchill.com | +233.302.208888 |
Disputes | Gloria Cofie | gacofie@bentsienchill.com | +233.302.208888 |
Disputes | Nania Owusu-Ankomah Sackey | nowusu-ankomah@bentsienchill.com | +233.302.208888 |
Energy and Infrastructure | Elizabeth Ashun | eashun@bentsienchill.com | +233.302.208888 |
Meet The Team(s)
Lawyer Profiles
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Number of lawyers : 29Languages
EnglishMemberships
Ghana Bar Association Lex Mundi Lex Africa- Banking and finance
- Capital markets
- Commercial, corporate and M&A
- Dispute resolution
- Energy
- Infrastructure projects