ORC launches 48-hour business registration service

The Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) has launched a new Prestige Service to accelerate business registration processing to within 24 to 48 hours, available at an extra cost.

Acting Registrar Mrs. Maame Samma Peprah introduced the initiative during a session with Parliament’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee in Accra. She reported that the agency had already registered more than 50,000 businesses this year and was close to achieving its overall registration goal. 

“Based on this we have been able to achieve 96.48 per cent of our registration target and the ORC has been able to register over 50,000 entities this year. Depending on the availability of data provided one can enjoy the prestige service,” she told the committee.

To assist clients who cannot reach ORC locations, the office has been running mobile registration drives. Mrs. Peprah said many business owners prefer on-site services.

 “That is the main aim of the new app that we are working on, to bring business registration to the doorstep of business owners,” she added.

She also outlined changes under the new Companies Act, which has expanded the ORC’s responsibilities to include compliance monitoring and company inspections. She noted that these checks are conducted every quarter, though officers sometimes face resistance. 

“In terms of insolvency, our mandate has been broadened, and we look further to restructuring of companies and we ensure that companies do not collapse at a goal,” she said, adding that registration of Insolvency Practitioners has begun.

Mrs. Peprah acknowledged that many people are still unaware of the ORC's role following its separation from the Registrar-General’s Department. 

“When we were decoupled from the Registrar General Department (RGD), not a lot of people were aware of our brand, so we are trying to put ORC out there for people to become aware of the difference between ORC and RGD. It would surprise you that we still receive enquiries about trademarks while that has to be sent to the RGD,” she explained.

A new branch is planned for Legon, with building designs awaiting approval. An internal review also highlighted the need for better data management and additional services. Mrs. Peprah said new policies have been introduced to improve handling of sensitive information.

 “We have put in place some policies to streamline our system, given the sensitivity of the data that we collect and ensure that the data collected are ISO 27000 compliant,” she said. She added that staff undergo regular data protection and cybersecurity training. 

“We also do weekly data protection training among our officers as well as cyber surety awareness programmes for staff,” she said.

While the ORC aims to open more offices across the country, budget constraints have limited progress to just two new satellite branches this year. She also said the agency's decade-old e-registration platform is outdated and should be replaced.

The committee also heard from Mr. Mark Ziwu, Acting CEO of the Law Reform Commission, who said the Commission’s work was hampered by a lack of internet access, computers, and vehicles needed for its nationwide legal research mandate.

Mr. Alhassan Tampuli, the Committee’s Deputy Ranking Member, encouraged the Commission to consider offering some services commercially to raise funds. He also suggested that the ORC work with police when conducting inspections to avoid interference. Committee Vice Chair Mr. James Enu called the Commission’s difficulties “heartbreaking” and pledged to support additional funding.