The Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) has introduced a “Prestige Service” enabling businesses to complete registration within 24–48 hours for a nominal fee, Acting Registrar Maame Samma Peprah announced to Parliament’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee.
The expedited service—contingent on document accuracy—has already driven a 96.48% registration target achievement, formalizing over 50,000 entities in 2025.
To broaden access, ORC is deploying mobile registration clinics and developing a doorstep service app. Peprah highlighted expanded powers under Ghana’s revised Companies Act, authorizing compliance inspections and insolvency oversight to rescue distressed firms. However, field officers face harassment during quarterly checks, complicating enforcement.
Despite progress, public confusion persists following ORC’s split from the Registrar-General’s Department (RGD), with businesses still seeking trademark services now handled by RGD. Infrastructure gaps also challenge operations: only two regional offices launched this year due to funding constraints, while a decade-old e-registration system urgently requires replacement. Cybersecurity upgrades and ISO 27000 compliance protocols are being implemented alongside staff training.
In a related session, Law Reform Commission Acting CEO Mark Ziwu cited critical resource shortages including absent internet, computers, and vehicles hindering nationwide legal research. Lawmakers proposed commercializing services for revenue and pledged budgetary advocacy.
Source: newsghana.com.gh
