Why the Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency Act would make Ghana the preferred place for financial commitment

The absence of an productive lawful system at ​par with the present and dynamic trends of enterprise, specifically in the area of company insolvency, fueled a large amount of hostility to the progress of non-public enterprises, their improvement and the economic wellbeing of the nation as a full.

Nevertheless, the promulgation of the Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency Act, 2020, (Act 1015) ( the “Act”), is a stage in the suitable way towards improving upon the quality of the legal regime for company bodies and their administration in the occasion that they become bancrupt.

The Act replaces the Bodies Corporate (Formal Liquidations) Act, 1963 (Act 180), which was in dire need of reform thinking about how aged it surpassed most Ghanaians in age. The Act also introduces novel provisions that aid obtain to well timed, efficient and neutral administration and insolvency proceedings.

Several of these novel provisions are reviewed underneath:

1. Restructuring/Administration of Companies In contrast to the former legislations that predominantly centered on only liquidation and receivership,​Sections 2 – 78 of the Act provides distressed companies with the prospect of engaging in a corporate restructuring/administration system. This indicates companies have the option to briefly proceed in existence as a heading issue, the place they can put their affairs and belongings in purchase to allow them rise back to profitability with the enable of an appointed administrator and/or restructuring officer. The restructuring officer shall work with a restructuring agreement. This is an agreement executed by the corporation and the lenders to present for payments in direction of the creditors’ money owed. The outcome of corporate restructuring is that it imposes a non permanent freeze on the rights of collectors and other claimants against the corporation, and permits for the implementation of a restructuring program, which effects in a much better return for the lenders and shareholders of the business than would have resulted from the speedy winding up of the corporation. On the other hand, these restructuring provisions do not apply to firms that are subject to particular restrictions this kind of as banks and insurance plan businesses.
2. Active Participation of Collectors in the Insolvency Process
   The Act seeks to balance the pursuits of all anxious get-togethers throughout the insolvency course of action and therefore lets for the lively participation of creditors in the insolvency process.​Sections 20 – 29 centers on the job of collectors when the company undergoes an administrative procedure. The administrator is obligated to convene a initial conference with the company’s creditors inside of 10 days after the administration course of action commences, whereby the collectors have a ideal to create a committee of lenders or replace the Administrator. The Committee of Creditors functions as an advisory unit to the Administrator and deliberate on reports relating to the administration of the firm. Additionally, collectors need to approve of the restructuring arrangement. Under official liquidation, lenders may nominate and appoint a liquidator (segment 95 (1)) and have to be consulted on matters that considerably have an affect on their pursuits during the liquidation system.
3. Cross-Border Insolvency Processes The Act has provisions in ​sections 150 – 152 and a timetable that specifically regulates cross-border insolvency proceedings. The key goal is to encourage cooperation involving courts and competent authorities in Ghana and foreign nations around the world, thereby enabling helpful cross-border insolvency
   proceedings of providers that have assets and collectors in and outside Ghana. The provisions in the Act are reflective of the United Nations Fee on Intercontinental Trade Legislation (“UNCITRAL”) design law on cross-border insolvency. It enables for the recognition of overseas insolvency proceedings and reliefs. The Act permits a international agent to use for the graduation of an insolvency continuing in Ghana and participate in proceedings about a debtor or creditor. A Ghanaian insolvency practitioner is also licensed to act in a foreign condition on behalf of a Ghana insolvency continuing, as permitted by the relevant overseas legislation.
4. Institution of An Insolvency Products and services Division
   Sections 153 – 162 of the Act delivers for the establishment of an Insolvency Services Division (“ISD”) underneath the Place of work of the Registrar of Businesses. The ISD shall evaluation the legislation and observe that relates to insolvency in Ghana, supervise insolvency practitioners, oversee administration of companies and other body corporates in Ghana and shall liaise with global agencies in the places of worldwide insolvency as may possibly be essential. A man or woman can only be an insolvency practitioner in Ghana if that particular person is a chartered accountant, lawyer or banker, with fantastic standing in a acknowledged professional affiliation and also a member of the Ghana Affiliation of Restructuring and Insolvency Advisors. With the passage of this Act and its progressive measures toward the enhanced common ​of enterprise ethics and corporate governance in insolvency proceedings, Ghana is anticipated to make improvements to on its rating in the Environment Bank’s Ease of Executing Company Report. The place at this time occupies the 114​th place out of the 190 economies when compared.
   In conclusion, the Act supplies that balance amongst the rights of collectors to enforce their protection and the community desire in ensuring survival of practical corporations, creditors and the overall economy as a complete. One particular of the principal spots of our business at Veritas Global is to support battling firms and enterprises with restructuring of their firms and corporations. As a result, the passage of Act 1015 is great news and we search forward to helping this sort of providers and enterprises with restructuring. You can normally contact us for even further clarification and support on any company restructuring and insolvency challenges.

The writer, Rosemary is an Assistant Firm Secretary at Veritas Intercontinental Nominees and Trustees Limited and may be contacted at ​ rosemary@vintlimited.com ​ or 0302964498.