Country Overview
Legal forms of philanthropic organizations included in the law: Association, Company Limited by Guarantee, Cooperative, Foundation, Society, Trust
Main social issues addressed by these organizations: Accountable Governance, Human Rights, Basic Needs, Water and Sanitation, Education, Youth and Family
Average time established by law to register a philanthropic organization: 31-60 days
Average cost for registering a philanthropic organization: USD 205
The average registration cost is around USD 205 for local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and USD 1,200 for foreign NGOs .
The process of incorporating a non-profit organization (NPO) in Ghana is a registration with the Registrar of Companies as per the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992). The two other statutes under which some NPOs like civil society groups register are the Trustees (Incorporation) Act of 1962 and the Professional Bodies Registration Decree (NRCD 143) of 1976.15. While it is relatively easy to register as a CSO in Ghana, it is not inexpensive. The centralized registration process and annual renewal requirement create real barriers, especially NPOs based outside Accra, the national capital. The government has also introduced a Licensure by which the Non-Profit Organization Secretariat (NPOS) grants an organization authorization to operate as an NPO. There is a two-stage licensing process:
The first application is to be made to the Registrar General’s Department for a Certificate to Commence Business and to complete a set of forms to be filled out. Additionally, four copies of the “Returns of Particulars of the Company Under Section 27 (1) of the Companies Code on Incorporation” must also be submitted together with a registration fee. A snapshot of information contained in the registration forms includes the name and objectives of the NPO; members of the Executive Board; names, nationalities, addresses, and business occupation of all directors and the secretary; name and address of auditors; and physical and postal address of the office(s).
The second step begins after the applicant receives the Certificate to Commence Business and Certificate of Incorporation from the Registrar General’s Department. The regulator of NGOs in Ghana, The Non-Profit Organization Secretariat, must issue a recognition certificate before operations can begin.
Government levels primarily regulating the incorporation of philanthropic organizations: Central/Federal Government, State Government, Local Government
In Ghana, the Registrar General incorporates organizations that want to register through the Companies Act 2019 (Act 992). The NGO Secretariat at the Ministry of Gender and Social Protection also has a role, and the local councils also have roles to play in the registration at the local level.