The exercise, led by Mrs Maame Serwaa Peprah, Acting Registrar of Companies, together with Dr Dennis Botwe Kyei, Head of Administration, and other senior officials, forms part of a nationwide outreach initiative to reach regions where the ORC currently has no physical office.

Mrs Peprah during a curtsey call on the Volta Regional Minister on Monday, explained that the ORC, established as an autonomous body under the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992), was responsible for registering and regulating businesses and professional bodies in Ghana, including limited liability companies, companies limited by guarantee, and external companies.

“As part of our mandate, we are expected to create awareness about our operations and ensure that businesses across the country are properly registered and remain compliant. Currently, we have offices in Accra, Kumasi, Sekondi, Sunyani, and Tamale.

The Volta Region is next in line, and this pilot exercise is to help us assess the environment, collect relevant data, and prepare adequately for the establishment of our new regional office,” she said.

Mrs Peprah revealed that the Attorney-General’s Department has granted approval for the establishment of the ORC’s Volta Regional Office in 2026, noting that the data and feedback from the ongoing exercise will inform decisions on the operational needs.

She said the sensitisation and registration drive was aimed at educating the public on business registration procedures, the importance of filing annual returns, and compliance with statutory requirements to avoid penalties.

“Registration gives your business credibility to engage banks, investors, and other institutions. It is not just a legal requirement but also a foundation for trust and sustainable growth,” she added.

Mrs Peprah expressed appreciation to the Regional Minister, Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC), and the people of the region for their warm reception and strong participation.

“The turnout has been very encouraging. It shows that business owners in the region are eager to formalise their operations and understand the importance of compliance. We are grateful for the cooperation and insightful recommendations shared, which will help us make the registration process simpler and more efficient,” she added.

Mr James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister, commended the ORC team for the initiative and described it as a significant step toward deepening decentralisation and promoting private sector development.

“The essence of decentralisation is to bring governance and essential services closer to the people. I am particularly pleased that the ORC plans to establish an office in the Volta Region, which is fast emerging as Ghana’s next major investment destination,” he said.

Mr Gunu noted that the planned ORC office would complement the government’s 24-Hour Economic Policy and the Volta Economic Corridor Project, which seek to leverage the region’s vast resources, including agriculture, aquaculture, agribusiness, transport, and tourism for inclusive growth and job creation.

“All these initiatives will require business registration and formalisation. An ORC office here will not only facilitate that process but also create jobs, enhance investor confidence, and boost revenue generation for government,” he added.
He urged ORC to ensure efficiency in its operations to eliminate bureaucratic delays that often discourage entrepreneurs.

“We are entering an era where services, including business registration, should be accessible around the clock. With digitalisation, we should be able to register a business within a day once all required documents are available,” the Minister stated.

Some business owners who participated in the pilot registration exercise expressed satisfaction with the process, describing it as fast, transparent, and convenient.

They commended the ORC for bringing its services closer to local entrepreneurs and urged that such outreach programmes be held regularly.

The four-day exercise, which began on Monday, offers participants the opportunity to register new businesses, renew existing ones, and file annual returns on-site.