All enterprises with foreign ownership must register with GIPC – Head of Investor Services

The Head of Investor Services and Exemptions at the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Emmanuel Forson, has reaffirmed that under the GIPC Act, every enterprise with foreign participation is required by law to register with the Centre.

Speaking on JoyNews’ The Law programme on Sunday, October 12, Mr Forson stated that the registration requirement applies to both wholly foreign-owned companies and joint ventures involving Ghanaian partners.

“Under the GIPC Act, every enterprise, particularly those with foreign participation, must register with the GIPC. If there is foreign ownership in the company—be it entirely foreign or a partnership with a Ghanaian—that company is required by law to register,” he said.

He clarified, however, that wholly Ghanaian-owned enterprises are not mandated by law to register with the Centre.

Nonetheless, the GIPC encourages them to do so to benefit from the various incentives and exemptions available to registered entities.

Registration Requirements

Explaining the process for registering an enterprise, Mr Forson outlined a three-step approach that begins with incorporation at the Registrar of Companies.

1. Incorporation at the Registrar of Companies: Businesses must first be formally registered and obtain a certificate of incorporation, a company constitution, and a beneficial ownership document, among other standard registration materials.

2. Submission of Documentation to GIPC:
   After incorporation, the company must submit the required documents to the GIPC for review. This applies to all business structures, including partnerships and external companies.

3. Completion of GIPC Registration:
   Upon meeting all requirements, the enterprise is formally registered under the GIPC Act, allowing it to access investment certificates, fiscal incentives, and exemptions applicable to its category.

Mr. Forson reiterated that GIPC registration helps ensure compliance with Ghana’s investment laws while providing businesses with investor protection, operational support, and access to government-backed opportunities.