Business Registration & Licensing
About Our Business Registration and Licensing
We can assist you with registering your business with the Registrar General’s Department and obtaining any necessary licenses or permits to operate in Ghana. We can obtain all industry licenses for you and manage your ongoing compliance to ensure that the company is in good standing with regulatory bodies. Our team can guide you through the registration process and ensure that your business is compliant with all applicable regulations.
Business Registrations
- Private Limited Company
- Private Unlimited Company
- Public limited Company
- Public Unlimited Company
- External Company
- Private Limited by Guarantee
- Public Limited by Guarantee
- Subsidiary Business Names (SBN)
- Private Partnership
- Sole Proprietorship
About Company Limited by Shares:
Company Limited by Shares is an association between two and fifty people with objectives for profit or non-profit purposes. Shareholders are the owners of the company, while directors, secretary, and auditors are the officers. The liability of members is limited to the amount unpaid on the shares they hold.
Requirements for Registration & Cost:
- Purchase a set of Limited Liability Forms.
- Provide a Consent letter from a certified auditor registered as a Sole Proprietor/Partnership.
- Form 3 must be witnessed by Commissioner for Oaths/Notary Public/Self-Declared.
- A minimum of two directors is required. Each must submit a Statutory Declaration & Consent Letter with the registration form.
- Submit filled forms at the Company Registration Counter for Verification and Capturing.
- Pay GHS 270 for Incorporation.
- Pay a filing fee of GHS 180 and 1% stamp duty on stated capital at the in-house bank.
Registrar Examines, Approves & Issues:
- Certificate of Incorporation.
- Certified Copy (CTC) of the Standard/Registered Constitution of the Company.
- Certified Copy (CTC) of Form 3.
File Annual Returns at GHS 60 together with Audited Account.
Company Wholly Foreign
For Wholly Foreign Companies in the Service Industry:
- Minimum of USD 500,000 in equity (Ghanaian Cedi equivalent) for foreigners in construction and civil works.
- Pay 1% stamp duty on the stated capital at the time of Incorporation.
For Wholly Foreign Companies in the Trading Industry:
- Minimum of USD 1,000,000 in equity (Ghanaian Cedi equivalent) for foreigners in general trading, importers, dealers in general goods, retail trading, and manufacturer representatives.
- Pay 1% stamp duty on the stated capital at the time of Incorporation.
Company with Foreign Participation
For Joint Ventures with Foreign Participation in the Service Industry:
- Foreign applicants must have a minimum of USD 200,000 (stated capital) or its Cedi equivalent.
- Ghanaian applicants must have 10% equity participation at the time of incorporation.
- Pay 1% stamp duty on the stated capital at the time of Incorporation.
For Joint Ventures with Foreign Participation in the Trading Industry:
- Foreign applicants must have a minimum of USD 1,000,000 in equity (Ghanaian Cedi equivalent).
- Ghanaian applicants must have 10% equity participation at the time of incorporation.
- Pay 1% stamp duty on the stated capital at the time of Incorporation.
Forms for Registering Company Limited by Shares (Private Limited Company):
- Fill Form 3.
- Fill individual Taxpayer Registration Form for officers (Directors, Subscribers, Shareholders) who do not have TIN.
- Fill BO Forms to declare the Company’s Beneficial Owners if the selected Sector is under Extractive Industry.
- Fill Form 26 (A) Consent to Act as a Director for each Director.
- Fill Form 26 (B) Consent to Act as a Secretary for the Secretary.
- Fill Form 26 (C) Statutory Declaration Director for each Director.
- Supplementary Forms may be required.
Similar composition as a limited liability company, but the liabilities of owners are unlimited.
- Purchase a set of Limited Liability Forms.
- Provide a Consent letter from a certified auditor registered as a Sole Proprietor/Partnership.
- Form 3 must be witnessed by Commissioner for Oaths/Notary Public/Self-Declared.
- Submit filled forms at the Company Registration Counter for Verification and Capturing.
- Pay GHS 270 for Incorporation.
- Pay a filing fee of GHS 180 and 1% stamp duty on stated capital at the in-house bank.
Registrar Examines, Approves & Issues:
- Certificate of Incorporation.
- Certified Copy (CTC) of Certificate to Commence Business.
- Certified Copy (CTC) of Standard/Registered Constitution of the Company.
- Certified Copy (CTC) of Form.
- File Annual Returns at GHS 60 together with Audited Account.
Company Wholly Foreign
For Wholly Foreign Companies in the Service Industry:
- Minimum of USD 500,000 in equity (Ghanaian Cedi equivalent) for foreigners in construction and civil works.
- Pay 1% stamp duty on the stated capital at the time of Incorporation.
For Wholly Foreign Companies in the Trading Industry:
- Minimum of USD 1,000,000 in equity (Ghanaian Cedi equivalent) for foreigners in general trading, importers, dealers in general goods, retail trading, and manufacturer representatives.
- Pay 1% stamp duty on the stated capital at the time of Incorporation.
Company with Foreign Participation
For Joint Ventures with Foreign Participation in the Service Industry:
- Foreign applicants must have a minimum of USD 200,000 (stated capital) or its Cedi equivalent.
- Ghanaian applicants must have 10% equity participation at the time of incorporation.
- Pay 1% stamp duty on the stated capital at the time of Incorporation.
For Joint Ventures with Foreign Participation in the Trading Industry:
- Foreign applicants must have a minimum of USD 1,000,000 in equity (Ghanaian Cedi equivalent).
- Ghanaian applicants must have 10% equity participation at the time of incorporation.
- Pay 1% stamp duty on the stated capital at the time of Incorporation.
Forms for Registering Company Limited by Shares (Private Limited Company):
- Fill Form 3.
- Fill individual Taxpayer Registration Form for officers (Directors, Subscribers, Shareholders) who do not have TIN.
- Fill BO Forms to declare the Company’s Beneficial Owners if the selected Sector is under Extractive Industry.
- Fill Form 26 (A) Consent to Act as a Director for each Director.
- Fill Form 26 (B) Consent to Act as a Secretary for the Secretary.
- Fill Form 26 (C) Statutory Declaration Director for each Director.
- Supplementary Forms may be required.
A branch of an existing company registered outside Ghana. The Local Manager must be resident in Ghana.
Procedure and Cost of registering.
- Submit the completed Forms.
- Provide certified true copies of the necessary documents.
- Pay a prescribed fee of US$1380 or its Cedi equivalent.
- The Registrar examines, registers, and notifies the local manager in writing.
- The Registrar issues a certificate of registration (Form 20 & 21).
- File annual returns each year at US$600 or Cedi equivalent with group accounts.
Forms for Registering External Company (Private Limited Company):
- Fill Form 20 & 21.
- Fill individual Taxpayer Registration Form for officers (Local Manager, Subscribers, Shareholders) who do not have TIN.
- Fill BO Forms to declare the Company’s Beneficial Owners.
The liability of members is limited to the amounts they undertake or guarantee to contribute in case of liquidation.
- Purchase prescribed regulations and Form 3A/3E.
- Provide a Consent letter from a certified auditor registered as a Sole Proprietor/Partnership.
- A minimum of two directors/executive members is required.
- A minimum of one subscriber is required.
- Secretary (Corporate Body Acting as a Secretary/Individuals) is required.
- Submit filled forms at the Company Registration Counter for Verification and Capturing.
- Pay a processing fee of GHS 250.00 and a filing fee of GHS 180.
- The Registrar issues a Certificate of Incorporation, Certified Copy (CTC) of Standard/Registered Constitution, and CTC of Form 3A/3E.
- File Annual Returns at GHS 60 together with Audited Account.
Forms for Registering Company Limited by Guarantee (Private):
- Fill Form 3A.
- Fill individual Taxpayer Registration Form for officers (Directors, Subscribers, Shareholders) who do not have TIN.
- Fill BO Forms to declare the Company’s Beneficial Owners
- Fill Form 26 (A) Consent to Act as a Director for each Director.
- Fill Form 26 (B) Consent to Act as a Secretary for the Secretary.
- Fill Form 26 (C) Statutory Declaration Director for each Director.
- Supplementary Forms may be required.
Forms for Registering Company Limited by Guarantee (Public):
- Fill Form 3E.
- Fill individual Taxpayer Registration Form for officers (Directors, Subscribers, Shareholders) who do not have TIN.
- Fill BO Forms to declare the Company’s Beneficial Owners
- Fill Form 26 (A) Consent to Act as a Director for each Director.
- Fill Form 26 (B) Consent to Act as a Secretary for the Secretary.
- Fill Form 26 (C) Statutory Declaration Director for each Director.
- Supplementary Forms may be required
A company may carry on business under a business name different from its corporate name.
- A stamp of the Parent Company is required.
- Submit filled forms at the Subsidiary Registration Counter.
- Pay a processing fee of GHS 100.00.
- Registrar examines, approves, and issues Subsidiary Name Registration Certificate.
- Renewal is required each year at GH 60 cedis.
Forms for Registering Subsidiary Business Name:
- Fill Form C.
A partnership is made up of a minimum of two and a maximum of twenty people engaging in profit-making business.
- Purchase and complete Form “B” for Incorporation of Partnership.
- Provide a stamped Partnership agreement at the Land Valuation Board.
- Submit filled forms at the Partnership Registration Counter.
- Pay a processing fee of GHS 240.00.
- Registrar examines, approves, and issues Certificate of Incorporation and CTC of Form B.
- File Annual Returns at GHS 90 together with Audited Account.
Forms for Registering Partnership Business:
- Fill Form B.
- Fill individual Taxpayer Registration Form for officers (Directors, Subscribers, Shareholders) who do not have TIN.
- Fill Supplementary Forms if required.
- Register your business if you are trading under a business name.
- Pick up a prescribed Form “A” or download it.
- Submit filled forms at the Business Names Registration Counter.
- Pay a processing fee of GHS 100.00.
- The registrar examines, approves, and issues the Business Name Registration Certificate.
- Renewal is required each year at GH 60 cedis.
Forms for Registering Business Name:
- Fill Form A.
- Fill individual Taxpayer Registration Form for officer (Owner) who do not have TIN.
Standard licenses
In the world of business and entrepreneurship, establishing a strong foundation is crucial for sustainable growth and compliance. At the heart of this foundation lie the essential standard licenses and registrations that every business needs to thrive. In this regard, we are pleased to introduce you to the key licenses and registrations that are imperative for operating a business successfully in Ghana:
- Income Tax registration
- VAT Registration
- Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT)
- Ghana Investment and Promotion Centre (GIPC)
- Local Assembly Business Operating Permit
Industry-specific Licenses
Each of these licenses represents a gateway to unlocking the full potential of your business within its respective industry. Whether you’re navigating the intricacies of healthcare, seeking to conquer the world of finance, or diving into the exciting realm of entertainment, these licenses are your key to legitimacy and success.
- Oil and Gas
- Mining & Quarry
- Construction
- Banking & Finance
- Insurance
- Manufacturing
- Refinery of Minerals
- Trading
- Securities / Brokers
- Shipping & Port
- Telecom & ICT
- Tourism
- Agriculture
- Estate / Housing
- Education
- Entertainment
- Food Industry
- Pharmaceutical
- Security
- Media
- Hospitality
- Health Care
- Sanitation
- Transport & Aerospace
- Fashion & Beautification
- Others
