Considering Operating in Ghana as a Foreign Company?

You can do so by incorporating a subsidiary or by registering a branch.

An External Company (branch) is a business incorporated outside Ghana that establishes a fixed place of business in Ghana.

📌 Registration with the Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) is required within one month of establishing operations.

A fixed place of business  includes:
• A branch office
• A management office
• A factory or project site
• Any permanent place of business

Core Legal Obligations of an External Company

Once registered, the company must:

• Appoint a local manager resident in Ghana
  • File annual returns and required financial statements
  • Register with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA)
  • Comply with corporate tax and employee tax obligations

⚖️ Importantly, the local manager’s actions in the ordinary course of business legally bind the foreign parent company.

Regulatory & Investment Considerations

Depending on the nature of the business, additional approvals may be required:

• Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) registration
  • Minimum capital compliance (where applicable)
  • Sector-specific licences (e.g., energy, mining, telecoms, food, financial services)
  • Work and residence permits for expatriate staff

External companies are taxed in Ghana on income attributable to their Ghana operations. Therefore strategic structuring at the outset is essential.

Branch or Subsidiary — Which Is Right for You?

External Company (Branch):
• Simpler initial setup and winding up
• No Ghana share capital
• Parent company retains full liability

Local Subsidiary:
• Separate Ghana-incorporated entity
• Limited liability protection
• Structured governance framework