The Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) has announced the enforcement of a GHS500 penalty for all companies that have failed to submit their Beneficial Ownership (BO) information, effective Monday, January 12, 2026.

In a statement issued by the ORC, the Registrar said the enforcement will attract a penalty of Five Hundred Ghana Cedis (GHC500) for defaulting companies. The move follows an earlier public reminder issued on October 15, 2025, which directed all existing companies to submit their Beneficial Ownership information by October 30, 2025.

“Despite the reminder, some companies remain non-compliant, making it necessary for the Office to commence enforcement,” the ORC said.

According to the Registrar, the action is backed by law under Sections 13(2)(m) and 373(1) of the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992), which require companies to declare individuals who ultimately own, control, or significantly influence their operations, as provided in the First Schedule of the Act.

The ORC clarified that the filing requirement applies to a wide range of business entities, including private and public companies limited by shares, companies limited by guarantee, unlimited liability companies, and external companies.

The statement further warned of stiffer sanctions for individuals who fail to provide accurate information. “An individual who fails to provide Beneficial Ownership information, or knowingly provides false or misleading details, is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than 150 and not more than 250 penalty units, or to a term of imprisonment of between one and two years, or to both,” the ORC noted, citing Section 35(14) and (15) of Act 992.

Acting Registrar of Companies, Mrs. Maame Samma Peprah, urged affected companies to act swiftly to regularize their status. “Compliance is not only a legal requirement, but a critical step toward strengthening accountability, transparency, and trust in Ghana’s business environment,” she said.