Registrar of Companies Demands Annual Returns Compliances
The Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) has directed registered Business Owners and Company Directors of Incorporated Partnerships in Ghana to file their Annual Returns.
It is also demanding a renewal of Business Names and Partnerships where necessary.
These must be done before Thursday, April 30, 2026, pursuant to Section 126(1) of the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992), Section 8(1) of the Incorporated Partnerships Act, 1962 (Act 152) and Section 5a(2) of the Business Names Act, 1962 (Act 152).
In a statement, it noted that the filing of Annual Returns, Renewal of Business Names and Partnerships is to ensure transparency and facilitate regulatory compliance.
Annual Returns filing applies to Private /Public Companies Limited by Shares, Private / Public Companies Limited by Guarantee, External Companies and Unlimited Liability Companies.
Failure to comply, it said, would attract a penalty in addition to filing fees. Per the penalty structure, companies that have defaulted for five (5) years or more will pay GHc2,000, while companies that have defaulted between one and four years will pay GHC 1,000.
“This directive is applicable to Companies whose approved financial year ends on 31st December and does not extend to entities with different financial reporting periods.”
It explained that the Annual Return must be filed within 18 months after Incorporation and subsequently once every year.
“It must contain information such as the current Company Address, Directors, Shareholders, Capital details, and be accompanied by Financial Statements. Annual Returns detail the status quo of a Company by giving an indication of the financial and non-financial state of the company.”
It noted that late Filing Penalties include twenty-five (25) penalty units for each day in default, while persistent non-compliance may result in the company being struck off the Companies Register, making it unlawful to operate.
In the case of Business Names renewal, it is noted that the Registrar may remove the Business Name of a person whose registration has lapsed.
Story by Hajara Fuseini
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