RE-ADVERT – REOI – INDIVIDUAL NATIONAL CONSULTANT TO CONDUCT A TARGETED REVIEW ON “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AS A CATALYST FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AREA (AfCFTA) IN THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA”

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

EOI/ APRM/TR /IT/ 33B/2022: TARGETED REVIEW

INDIVIDUAL NATIONAL CONSULTANT TO CONDUCT A TARGETED REVIEW ON “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AS A CATALYST FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AREA (AfCFTA) IN THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA”

Public Sector-Governance

Financing Agreement reference: 2100155036916

Project ID No.: P-Z1-K00-084

Country: South Africa

Project Title: APRM-ISP

BACKGROUND

The African Peer Review Mechanism has received financing from the African Development Bank toward the cost of the African Peer Review Mechanism Institutional Support Project and intends to apply part of the agreed amount for this grant as payments towards the procurement of an experienced Individual National Consultant to conduct a Targeted Review on the theme, “Corporate governance as a Catalyst for the Implementation of the Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in The Republic of Ghana”.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this Targeted Review is to identify governance gaps to improve corporate governance standards and practices in the Republic of Ghana, in order to harness the benefits of the AfCFTA.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a centerpiece of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, aiming to implement continental trade integration to capitalize on domestic markets’ potential, as vectors of sustainable development and economic growth in Africa. The AfCFTA Agreement was cemented at the 18th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in January 2012, to establish a Continental Free Trade. The Summit of Heads of State also endorsed the Plan of Action to Boost Intra-African Trade by identifying seven main areas including trade policies, trade facilitation, productive capacity, related infrastructure to trade, trade finance, trade information and market integration factors.  By creating a single continental market for goods and services, coupled with the free movement of people, the AfCFTA would be an engine of exponential acceleration of intra-African trade and will unlock a combined GDP of over $3.4 Trillion to greater heights.

Therefore, effective corporate governance is a vital tool to enable private sector development and growth, which will equip Ghanaian firms to improve their operations and access further investments, both local and foreign, in order to take full advantage of the opportunities provided by the AfCFTA in other African Markets. Good corporate governance standards and practices enhance shareholders’ confidence and reduce organizational deficiencies through improved accountability. Corporate governance also contributes to the development of both capital markets and the promotion of Foreign Direct Investment in a country. Furthermore, corporate governance increases companies’ transparency to investors and gives board members the tools to respond to stakeholders’ concerns.

This Targeted Review will examine Ghana’s Corporate Governance structures, legislation, and regulations. It will aim to:

• strengthen the government’s efforts to promote good corporate governance standards and practices;
• enhance the regulatory framework and environment for ease of doing business for companies;
• improve and increase cross-border trade, market access, capital flow,
• raise productivity, innovation, and competitiveness of domestic firms

in order to capitalize on the business opportunities provided by the AfCFTA.

The duration of the assignment is estimated at thirty (30) days including field days, starting upon signing the contract.

The Consultant should prepare and submit the items below following the signature of the contract in collaboration with relevant staff of the APRM Continental Secretariat, the national APRM Secretariat in Ghana, and other stakeholders:

• A Background paper (about 20 pages), a key issues paper and a questionnaire on the theme inspired by the APRM’s basic questionnaire are due on the 14th day following the contract signature;
• A Zero-Draft of the background paper, a key issues paper and a questionnaire on the theme inspired by the APRM’s basic questionnaire, 14 days after the date of signature of the contract;
• A First Draft of the background paper, a key issues paper, and a questionnaire on the theme inspired by the APRM’s basic questionnaire are due after the comments of the APRM Continental Secretariat;
• A Second Draft of the background paper, a key issues paper, and a questionnaire on the theme inspired by the APRM’s basic questionnaire are due immediately after the integration of the comments.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

The Consultant should have one of the following educational backgrounds, experiences, and skills:

• A PhD in Corporate Governance, Business Administration, International Trade, Business Finance, Economics, International Economic Law, and/or in Commercial/Company Law and/or related fields with a minimum of five (5) years ‘relevant experience working with national governments, private sector and international organizations on issues of corporate governance in various capacities and international economic law and policy;
• A master’s degree in Corporate Governance, Business Administration, International Trade, Business Finance, International Economic Law, and/or in Commercial/Company Law and/or related fields with a minimum of seven (7) years relevant experience working with national governments, private sector and international organizations on issues of corporate governance in various capacities and international economic law and policy.

The APRM invites eligible Individual National Consultants to indicate their interest in providing these services. Interested Consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services and submit their Curriculum Vitae with information on education (certificates, degrees), experience on the African continent, expertise, skills and former positions held pertinent to the items related to the assignment.

Eligibility criteria, the establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the African Development Bank’s “Procurement Policy for Bank Group Funded Operations”, dated October 2015, which is available on the Bank’s website at http://www.afdb.org. Only shortlisted candidates will be provided with the Terms of Reference (TORS).

Interested Consultants may obtain further information through email: tender[email protected] during office hours 8.00 -1700hrs. Any clarification to the bid shall be published on APRM Website. Clarification should be sought not less than seven days from the date of closing the bid.

SUBMISSION OF BID: Expressions of interest must be submitted through email [email protected] on or before 20^th  September  2022 at 11.00 hours South Africa local time.

Submissions to be titled: EOI/ APRM/TR /IT/ 33B/20201 “Expression of Interest for Targeted Review, Individual National Consultant on “Corporate governance as a Catalyst for the Implementation of the Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in The Republic of Ghana”   

The EOI Shall be Opened on 20^th September  2022 at 11.00 am South Africa time.

Only bids submitted on time shall be accepted. Bids submitted with the wrong submission title shall be rejected.

Procurement office

African Peer Review Mechanism

Private Bag x09, Halfway House, 1685

Physical Address: 230 15th Street, Randjies Park, 1st Floor

Midrand, South Africa

Tel: +27 11 256 3400/01/29

Fax: +27 256 3456

Submission E-mail: [email protected]