Form a company limited by shares.
A separate legal entity that owns its own debts. It suits growth, investors and larger contracts, and asks more of you: directors, a qualified secretary and beneficial-ownership records.
Private company · Not a government agency · Government fees shown separately
- GHBusinessDesk service fee
- GHS 1,800
- US$399 if you register from abroad
- Government fees
- GHS 615
- Plus stamp duty at 1% of stated capital
- Directors
- 2 or more
- At least 1 ordinarily resident in Ghana
- Liability
- Limited
- The company is a separate legal person
The people the law requires.
The Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992) sets who a company must have. We check each requirement as you answer, so nothing is missed at submission.
- At least two directorsAt least one must be ordinarily resident in Ghana. Each director makes eligibility declarations, including age and disqualification, and consents to act.
- A qualified company secretaryThe secretary must hold the qualifications Act 992 requires. We check eligibility, or you can appoint a vetted partner secretarial firm, with their fee on its own line.
- ShareholdersIndividuals or companies, with the shares each holds, the class and what they pay. Corporate shareholders provide their own company documents.
- Beneficial ownersThe natural persons who ultimately own or control the company, looking through any corporate shareholder. We guide you through identifying them, including whether anyone is a politically exposed person. Thresholds follow current ORC guidance.
- A registered office in GhanaA physical address with a GhanaPost GPS digital address. Founders abroad can use a partner’s registered-office service. Starting from abroad
This page summarises the requirements as we apply them. Act 992 and current ORC guidance govern. If your situation is unusual, a licensed partner lawyer advises you directly.
What you’ll need.
One person starts the application. Every director, shareholder and the secretary gets a personal link to verify their own identity and consent.
People
- At least 2 directorsOne ordinarily resident in Ghana
- A qualified company secretaryWe can introduce a partner firm
- ShareholdersNames and number of shares each
- Beneficial ownersAnyone who ultimately owns or controls it
Documents and details
- Ghana Card or passport for each personPlus TIN where they have one
- Registered office digital addressGhanaPost GPS
- Stated capital amountStamp duty is a percentage of this
- ConstitutionOur standard one, or your own
- Two proposed namesWe run the name search for you
What happens, and who does it.
A company file has more moving parts. A second reviewer checks it before anything is submitted.
Name and name search
Candidate names screened and the ORC name search run on your lead name, with the “Limited” or “Ltd” ending handled for you.
YouGHBusinessDeskThe authority decidesCompany details
What the company does, its financial year end, and its constitution: our standard form, or a bespoke one drafted by a partner lawyer.
YouLicensed professionalOfficers, shareholders and beneficial owners
Directors, secretary, shareholders and their shares, stated capital, and beneficial owners. Each person verifies their own details.
YouGHBusinessDeskConsents, declarations and witnessing
Director and secretary consents and the statutory declaration of compliance. A commissioner for oaths witnesses signatures.
YouLicensed professionalCheck every fee, then pay
Government fees including stamp duty, the GHBusinessDesk service fee and the witnessing fee, each with who receives it.
YouSecond review, then submission
First review within 1 working day of payment. A second reviewer checks the complete package, you approve it, and we submit: submission within 1 working day of a complete, clean file.
GHBusinessDeskThe Registrar decides
Any query from the Registrar becomes a clear task for you, with a deadline. We check your answer before it goes back. The Registrar’s timing is outside our control.
The authority decidesGHBusinessDeskDocuments and next steps
Certificate of incorporation, certified constitution, company and beneficial-ownership profile, and commencement documents, checked and delivered. Documents in your vault within 1 working day of approval. You also get a checklist for TIN confirmation, bank account, Business Operating Permit, SSNIT and VAT.
GHBusinessDesk
Stamp duty, explained.
Companies pay stamp duty on their stated capital: 1% of the amount you state. It is a government fee, paid via the ORC, and we add nothing to it.
| Stated capital | Stamp duty |
|---|---|
| GHS 10,000 | GHS 100 |
| GHS 50,000 | GHS 500 |
| GHS 100,000 | GHS 1,000 |
| GHS 500,000 | GHS 5,000 |
You see the exact amount as you type your stated capital in the application. Companies with foreign participation may also have capital requirements under Act 1173; see foreign founders.
Private company · Not a government agency · Government fees shown separately
Company limited by shares
Stated capital GHS 10,000 · Standard formation
| Line | Payee | GHS |
|---|---|---|
Government fee: Company registrationORC schedule effective 2 Feb 2026 | Office of the Registrar of Companies | 585.00 |
Government fee: Stamp duty, 1% of stated capital | Via ORC | 100.00 |
Government fee: Name search | Office of the Registrar of Companies | 30.00 |
GHBusinessDesk service fee: Company formation, standard | GHBusinessDesk | 1,800.00 |
Professional fee: Commissioner-for-oaths witnessingEstimate | Partner firm | 150.00 |
| Total | 2,665.00 |
Indicative. Verified against the current ORC schedule at checkout.
After incorporation.
A company has duties every year. Your compliance calendar starts on the day you are registered.
- Annual returnEvery company files an annual return that carries member and beneficial-owner particulars (Act 992, s.126). It is signed by a director and the secretary.GHS 175 govt
- Beneficial ownership kept currentAny change in who owns or controls the company must be filed within the period set by current ORC guidance. A central register is kept under s.373.
- Annual return, managed by GHBusinessDeskPrepared from your profile, filed and confirmed. Annual returnsGHS 450 service
What late filing costs
| Annual return not filed, 1 to 4 years | GHS 1,000 |
| Annual return not filed, 5 years or more | GHS 2,000 |
| Beneficial ownership not filed | GHS 500 |
Penalties are set by the Registrar. GHBusinessDesk does not set or collect penalties.
Form your company.
Start with the company name and invite your directors when you’re ready. Every fee, including stamp duty, is shown before anyone pays.
Private company · Not a government agency · Government fees shown separately
