Creation of Registrar of Companies does not imply extinction to old RGD – Godfred Dame
The Office of the Registrar of Companies was set up under the Companies Act 2019, Act 992, establishing it as an entity outside the Attorney-General’s Department.
The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Godfred Yeboah Dame, has stated that despite the separation of the Registrar of Companies from the Registrar-Generals Department (RGD), the old office (RGD) will continue to perform its other functions.
He delivered a speech at the launch of the Office of the Registrar of Companies by the President, Nana Akufo-Addo in Accra.
“It is pertinent to indicate at this stage, and for the education of the entire public that the establishment of the Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC), does not imply an extinction of the old Registrar General’s Department. The old RGD set up under the civil service structure regulations, 1960, L.I. 139, continues to exist, but will only oversee the registration of industrial property rights, registration of marriages, administration of estates and public trust,” he said.
He further maintained that issues of litigation involving the regulation of business that used to be handled by the RGD shall be continued by the ORC.
“For the benefit of the litigating lawyer, it is also necessary to point out that all proceedings relating to the establishment or regulation of companies taken by or against the old Registrar-General, may continue by or against the new Office of Registrar.”
The Office of the Registrar of Companies was set up under the Companies Act 2019, Act 992, establishing it as an entity outside the Attorney-General’s Department.
Established specifically in August 2021, the ORC oversees all issues of business registration and licensing.
According to the Registrar, Madam Jemima Oware, the ORC is developing digital software to make it possible for clients to register their businesses online.
To this Attorney-General Dame noted that government support would be instrumental, adding that financial assistance is equally needed to support the old software being used by the ORC.
“By the combined efforts of sections 385, subsection 9, 7, 8, of Act 992, almost every aspect of the operations of the Registrar of Companies shall be effected electronically, after 5 years from the commencement date of the Act.
Given that the commencement date of the Act is August 2, 2019, it means that within two years from now, the Registrar of Companies is enjoined to operate only electronically. I’m aware, that the office is feverishly determined to satisfy the imperatives of the law, and thus requires the support of the government.”
