Register a business name.
The simplest way to trade under a name that isn’t your own. One owner, low running costs, and a certificate you can take to the bank.
Private company · Not a government agency · Government fees shown separately
- GHBusinessDesk service fee
- GHS 350
- US$79 if you register from abroad
- Government fees
- GHS 160
- GHS 130 business name registration + GHS 30 name search
- Liability
- Personal
- You and the business are one in law
- Renewal
- Every year
- GHS 70 government fee, or GHS 120 for us to file it
Is a business name right for you?
It suits one person trading on their own. If you want to share ownership or limit your liability, a company fits better.
A good fit when
- You trade aloneA kiosk, a studio, a repair stand, a consultancy.
- You want a name customers knowAnd a bank account in that name.
- You want low running costsOne renewal a year, no annual return.
Consider a company when
- Others will own part of itCo-founders, family or investors.
- You want limited liabilitySo business debts stay with the business.
- You need larger contractsLarger clients and lenders often prefer a company.
What you’ll need.
Have these ready and most people finish the questions in about 12 minutes. You can save and come back.
People
- You, the ownerGhana Card for identity and TIN
Documents and details
- Ghana CardYour number doubles as your TIN
- Business digital addressGhanaPost GPS, for example GA-123-4567
- Two proposed namesWe run the name search for you
- What the business doesOne or two plain sentences
Not a Ghanaian citizen? You can use a passport together with a Non-Citizen Card.
What happens, and who does it.
From your first answer to a certificate in your vault. The Registrar decides; we do the rest of the work.
Choose your name
Give us up to three candidate names. We screen them for restricted words, words that imply a government link, and near-duplicates.
YouGHBusinessDeskName search
We run the ORC name search on your lead name and keep the result on file. The search fee is a government fee, shown on its own line.
GHBusinessDeskThe authority decidesYour details and what the business does
Your identity, contact details and GhanaPost GPS digital address, and a plain description of the activity. We flag any sector licence it may need.
YouCheck every fee, then pay
Government fee, GHBusinessDesk service fee, each with who receives it. Pay by mobile money, card or bank transfer.
YouWe prepare and submit
We prepare Form A from your answers and you approve it online. First review within 1 working day of payment; submission within 1 working day of a complete, clean file.
GHBusinessDeskThe Registrar decides
We record the authority reference and tell you at each status change. The Registrar’s timing is outside our control.
The authority decidesCertificate in your vault
We check the Certificate of Registration and certified copy against your application. Documents in your vault within 1 working day of approval. Your yearly renewal goes into your compliance calendar.
GHBusinessDesk
Every line, before you pay.
This is the checkout for a business name registered in Ghana. Nothing is added later.
- Government feePaid to the authority at cost
Owed to the Registrar, GIPA or another authority. We add nothing and show the schedule it comes from.
- GHBusinessDesk service feePaid to GHBusinessDesk
Fixed for the service you choose, and shown before you enter any details. This is what we earn.
- Professional feePaid to a partner firm
Only where the law needs a licensed professional, such as a commissioner for oaths or a lawyer.
Private company · Not a government agency · Government fees shown separately
Business name
Standard registration
| Line | Payee | GHS |
|---|---|---|
Government fee: Business name registrationORC schedule effective 2 Feb 2026 | Office of the Registrar of Companies | 130.00 |
Government fee: Name search | Office of the Registrar of Companies | 30.00 |
GHBusinessDesk service fee: Business name registration | GHBusinessDesk | 350.00 |
| Total | 510.00 |
Indicative. Verified against the current ORC schedule at checkout.
After registration.
A business name is renewed every year. We remind you ahead of time, or file it for you.
- Yearly renewalAdded to your compliance calendar on the day you register.GHS 70 govt
- Renewal filed by GHBusinessDeskReminded, paid and filed for you.GHS 120 service
- Documents in your vaultCertificate and certified copy, available any time.Included
A business name has a single owner. To bring in co-founders or investors, register a company limited by shares. How a company works
Register your business name.
Answer a few plain questions, see every fee, and pay by mobile money or card. No account needed until you’re ready to save.
Private company · Not a government agency · Government fees shown separately
