Business

Registrar of Companies, GARIA inducts 166 new members as licensed IPs

The Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) and the Ghana Association of Restructuring and Insolvency Advisors (GARIA) have inducted over 160 members as newly licensed Insolvency Practitioners (IPs) at its second cohort Induction ceremony in Accra.

The event, which was also in partnership with other stakeholders, including the Bank of Ghana and the Attorney General’s Department, formed part of ORC and GARIA’s key objectives to providing a forum for practitioners engaged in business recovery and insolvency practice. The new cohort brings to a total of over 270 IPs.

Former Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo, who chaired the induction ceremony, commended the inductees for their perseverance and diligence in reaching this milestone.

She also advised practitioners to maintain strong morals and values as these were the pillars of success in their respective fields.

The Minister for Justice and Attorney General, Mr GodfredYeboah Dame, in remarks made on his behalf by his deputy, Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, encouraged licensed IPs to prioritise saving distressed companies, emphasising that the hasty winding down of firms that have the potential to be revived could harm the growth of the private sector.

He stated that the primary objective when dealing with struggling businesses should not be liquidation, but instead, efforts should be made to rescue and preserve distressed viable companies whenever possible, considering the impact on employment and other factors.

Registrar of Companies, Jemima Oware, reiterated the need for inter-agency collaboration across the financial spectrum – banking, accounting, taxation, insurance and securities – as well as with the judiciary to promote efficiency in the application of the Corporate Insolvency and Restructuring Act (CIRA).

“It is going to offer greater ability to respond to the local needs of distressed companies, address crossover problems, and will clarify and improve the role definition of each of these agencies, especially when creditors and other claimants initiate a charge against a distressed company,” she explained, while pledging her support for training and related activities.

In a speech delivered by the Bank of Ghana’s Head of Resolution Office, Elliot Amoako, on behalf of the Governor, Mr Amoako, he said that though it operates in a specialised segment, the bank would not hesitate to seek the assistance of licensed insolvency practitioners if the need arises.

“I want to stress that the resolution of banks and SDIs is subject to the Special Resolution Regime established by Banks and SDIs Act 930. The Bank of Ghana, however, will not hesitate to rely on licensed professionals under the Ghana Association of Restructuring and Insolvency Advisors (GARIA) in the event of any future occurrences,” he said.

CEO of GARIA, George Fosu, explained that the induction ceremony was part of the association’s broader objective to equip IPs with the essential core competencies required to assist businesses and organisations.

BY TIMES REPORTER

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