Complete Cost Breakdown
Sole Proprietorship
GHS 800 - 1,200
- Name search: GHS 40
- Registration fee: GHS 150-200
- Stamp duty: GHS 50
- Lawyer fees (optional): GHS 500-800
- TIN registration: Free
Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Partnership
GHS 1,200 - 2,000
- Name search: GHS 40
- Registration fee: GHS 200-300
- Partnership agreement: GHS 500-1,000
- Stamp duty: GHS 100
- Lawyer fees: GHS 500-1,000
- TIN registration: Free
Timeline: 2-3 weeks
Private Limited Company (Most Popular)
GHS 2,000 - 5,000
- Name search: GHS 40
- Registration fee: GHS 500-1,200 (depends on share capital)
- Constitution/Regulations: GHS 500-1,500
- Stamp duty: GHS 200-500
- Lawyer fees: GHS 1,000-3,000
- TIN registration: Free
- SSNIT registration: Free
Timeline: 3-6 weeks
Hidden Costs Most People Miss
- Annual returns: GHS 50-200/year (mandatory for Ltd companies)
- Registered office address: GHS 500-2,000/year if you need a virtual office
- Corporate bank account: Minimum deposit GHS 500-5,000
- Company seal: GHS 100-300 (required for some contracts)
- Accounting setup: GHS 500-2,000
- Tax compliance: GHS 1,000-3,000/year (accountant fees)
DIY vs Lawyer: What's Worth It?
Sole Proprietorship: You can probably do this yourself. The process is straightforward at RGD.
Partnership: Get a lawyer for the partnership agreement. Disputes without a proper agreement are expensive.
Limited Company: Strongly recommend a lawyer. The constitution, Form 3, Form 4, and regulations need to be done right. Mistakes delay registration by weeks.