Defaulting companies face GH¢500 fine as ORC enforces beneficial ownership rules

The Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) has begun sanctioning businesses that have failed to disclose their beneficial owners, in a fresh push to strengthen transparency in Ghana’s corporate landscape.

In a notice issued on Monday, 12 January 2026, the ORC said all non-compliant companies will now be fined GH¢500 for not filing their Beneficial Ownership (BO) information.

The Registrar said the move follows repeated reminders and a grace period that many companies ignored. A prior public notice on 15 October 2025 had directed all existing entities to submit their BO details by 30 October 2025.

According to the ORC, the clampdown is backed by law. Sections 13(2)(m) and 373(1) of the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992) require every company to disclose the individuals who ultimately own, control or exercise significant influence over it.

The obligation applies across the board, including:

Private and public companies limited by shares

Companies limited by guarantee

Unlimited liability companies

External companies operating in Ghana

The Registrar cautioned that the GH¢500 administrative penalty is only one layer of exposure for those who refuse to comply or attempt to game the system.

Any person who fails to provide BO information, or knowingly submits false or misleading details, commits an offence under Act 992. Under Section 35(14) and (15), such offenders face, on summary conviction, a fine of not less than 150 and not more than 250 penalty units, or a custodial sentence of one to two years, or both.

The ORC framed the exercise as central to cleaning up the business environment, stressing that beneficial ownership transparency is key to tackling illicit financial flows and building investor confidence.

The Office is urging affected companies to regularise their status immediately to avoid penalties and possible prosecution.

Businesses seeking guidance have been advised to contact the ORC on 0302-666-081, via WhatsApp/Telegram on 059-952-5774, or follow @ORC Ghana on official social media channels for further updates.