Registrar of Companies extends deadline for filing of returns and renewal of business names

The Registrar of Companies has extended the deadline for the filing of annual returns and renewal of business names and partnerships to September 30, 2024.

A statement issued by the Registrar explained that the decision to extend the deadline was made because several businesses and partnerships had not renewed their operations.

The Registrar of Companies, Jemima Mamaa Oware, stated, “Currently, only 6,760 out of the over 530,000 Business Names (Sole Proprietorships) have renewed their Business Names, while 8,890 sampled Companies in default are yet to comply with the filing of their Annual Returns out of a total number of 10,734 Companies.”

The unregistered companies are made up of Companies Limited by Shares and Companies Limited by Guarantee (Schools, Associations, Churches, Foundations, Charity Organizations, Fun Clubs, NGOs, etc.). Unlimited and External Companies were advised to file their Annual Returns and Group Accounts by the end of September 2024, respectively.

Below is the full statement:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EXTENSION OF DEADLINE FOR FILING OF ANNUAL RETURNS AND RENEWAL OF BUSINESS NAMES AND PARTNERSHIPS TO 30TH SEPTEMBER, 2024

The Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) wishes to notify our esteemed Business Owners and Company Officials that it has extended the deadline for the filing of Annual Returns and Renewals to 30th September 2024.

We wish to indicate that while validation is being conducted to ascertain businesses that complied with the directive from the Registrar of Companies, Companies, Churches, Associations, Civil Society Organizations, Think Tanks, Schools, Foundations, and other entities in default as of the end of the July deadline can still file their Annual Returns and Renewals, respectively.

The extension has become necessary due to the number of businesses that were in the process of filing but could not complete the process in our offices or through electronic means as a result of the nationwide strike action by labor, which interrupted the services provided to our cherished clients.

With the extension of the deadline, the ORC aims to facilitate a smoother process for businesses, promote transparency, and ensure compliance with the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992) and other enactments governing the various registration entities.

Currently, only 6,760 out of the over 530,000 Business Names (Sole Proprietorships) have renewed their Business Names, while 8,890 sampled Companies in default are yet to comply with the filing of their Annual Returns out of a total number of 10,734 Companies.

These Companies in default are made up of Companies Limited by Shares and Companies Limited by Guarantee (Schools, Associations, Churches, Foundations, Charity Organizations, Fun Clubs, NGOs, etc.). Unlimited and External Companies are advised to file their Annual Returns and Group Accounts by the end of September 2024, respectively.

In this view, officials of the affected Companies are kindly reminded that, as per Section 289 (5) of the Companies Act 2019 (Act 992), a company that has its name struck off from the Register is not permitted to conduct business under the Company Name for twelve (12) years.

Further to this, a company struck off the Register can only be restored to the Companies Register by a Court Order to the Registrar of Companies as per Section 289 (7) of the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992).

Hence, Company officials are to visit our website, www.orc.gov.gh or check in the national dailies to find published names of affected companies to be struck off.

The Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) wishes to assure its cherished clients and stakeholders of its relentless efforts in providing quality service, ensuring compliance, and promoting good corporate governance as partners in business. For further inquiries, kindly contact our Office lines on 0302-666-081/0302-664-692 or 059-952-5774 (WhatsApp/Telegram) or follow us on our social media @ORC Ghana.

ORC – A TRUSTED PARTNER FOR BUSINESS

SIGNED,

JEMIMA M. OWARE (MRS)

REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES