The Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) has commenced enforcement of penalties against companies that have failed to submit their Beneficial Ownership (BO) information.
In a public notice on Monday, January 12, 2026, the ORC stated that a penalty of Five Hundred Ghana Cedis (GHS500) will be applied to non-compliant companies, effective immediately.
The notice comes after an earlier public reminder issued on 15th October 2025, which urged all existing companies to submit their Beneficial Ownership information by 30th October 2025.
The ORC noted, however, that “despite this reminder, some companies remain non-compliant.”
According to the Registrar of Companies, Mrs. Maame Samma Peprah, this action is in accordance with Sections 13(2)(m) and 373(1) of the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992), which “mandates companies to declare individuals who ultimately own, control or influence the Company as stated in the First schedule of the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992).”
The categories of companies required to file Beneficial Ownership information include:
- Private/Public Companies limited by Shares
- Private/Public Companies limited by Guarantee
- Unlimited Liability Companies
- External Companies
The ORC further warned that individuals who fail to provide the required information, or knowingly provide false or misleading information, are liable “on summary conviction to a fine of not less than one hundred and fifty penalty units and not more than two hundred and fifty penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than one-year and not more than two years or to both under Section 35(14) & (15) of the Companies Act, 2019 (Act992).”
Mrs. Peprah urged all affected companies to regularize their status, emphasizing that compliance “not only fulfills legal obligations but also promotes accountability, transparency, and trust in Ghana’s business environment.”
