Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) begins enforcement of GH¢500 penalty for failure to filing

The Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) has begun enforcing penalties on companies that haven’t submitted their Beneficial Ownership (BO) information, as part of ongoing efforts to boost transparency and accountability in Ghana’s corporate sector.

The Registrar has announced in an official notice that starting Monday, January 12, 2026, companies that fail to comply will face a GH¢500 fine under the enforcement regime.

The ORC said the enforcement comes after several reminders to companies about complying with the Beneficial Ownership disclosure rule. Even with a grace period, some businesses still haven’t submitted their BO information, prompting the start of penalties. This follows a public notice issued on October 15, 2025, urging all existing companies to provide their Beneficial Ownership details by October 30, 2025—a deadline some registered entities ignored.

According to the Registrar, the action is firmly grounded in law. “The enforcement is in accordance with Sections 13(2)(m) and 373(1) of the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992), which require companies to declare individuals who ultimately own, control or exercise significant influence over the company,” the statement said.

The Beneficial Ownership filing obligation applies to private and public companies limited by shares, companies limited by guarantee, unlimited liability companies, and external companies operating in Ghana.

The ORC further warned that the consequences of non-compliance go beyond the administrative penalty. “Any individual who fails to provide Beneficial Ownership information, or who knowingly provides false or misleading information, commits an offence under the Companies Act,” the Registrar cautioned.

Under Section 35(14) and (15) of Act 992, offenders are liable, upon summary conviction, to a fine of not less than 150 and not more than 250 penalty units, or a prison term of between one and two years, or both.

The Registrar emphasised that compliance is essential for improving Ghana’s business climate. “Compliance with Beneficial Ownership disclosure is not just a legal requirement. It is critical to promoting accountability, transparency, and trust in Ghana’s corporate and investment environment,” the ORC stressed.

The Office has therefore urged affected companies to act swiftly. “Companies are encouraged to take immediate steps to regularize their status and avoid penalties,” the statement added.

For more details, the ORC recommends that companies get in touch by calling 0302-666-081, or reaching out via WhatsApp or Telegram on 059-952-5774, and follow its official social media accounts @ORC Ghana for updates.