The Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) has extended the deadline for filing Annual Returns and Renewals to September 30, 2024.
This extension allows businesses, including Companies, Churches, Associations, Civil Society Organizations, Think Tanks, Schools, Foundations, and other entities, to submit their filings if they missed the original July deadline.
The ORC cited the recent nationwide strike as a major factor, which disrupted both in-office and electronic filing processes, necessitating the deadline extension.
“With the extension of the deadline, the ORC aims to facilitate a smoother process for businesses, promote transparency and compliance with the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992) and other enactments governing the various registration entities”, the statement said.
It noted that, as of now, only 6,760 out of more than 530,000 Business Names (Sole Proprietorships) have completed their renewals. Additionally, out of 10,734 Companies, 8,890 that were sampled remain non-compliant with their Annual Returns filing.
“These Companies in default are made up of Companies Limited by Shares and Companies Limited by Guarantee (Schools, Association, Churches, Foundations, Charity Organizations, Fun Clubs, NGOs etc.). Unlimited and External Companies are advised to file their Annual Returns and Group Accounts by the end of September 2024 respectively”.
“In this view, officials of the affected Companies are kindly reminded that, as per Section 289 (5) of the Companies Act 2019 (Act 992), a company that has its name struck off from the Register is not permitted to conduct business under the Company Name for twelve (12) years”, it added.
The ORC cautioned that a company removed from the Register can only be reinstated through a Court Order directed to the Registrar of Companies, in accordance with Section 289 (7) of the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992).
“Hence, Company officials are to visit our website, www.orc.gov.gh or check in the national dailies to find published names of affected companies to be struck off”.