ORC partners UMB to bring company registration services closer to businesses
The Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) has affirmed its commitment to becoming a technology-driven and customer-focused institution as it partners Universal Merchant Bank (UMB) to establish ORC service desks at selected bank branches across the country.
The partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at the UMB Head Office in Accra, will allow entrepreneurs and businesses to access selected ORC services closer to their locations.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Registrar of Companies, Mrs Maame Samma Peprah Esq., said the initiative formed part of efforts by the ORC to improve service delivery, support enterprise growth, strengthen corporate governance and contribute to Ghana’s economic development.
She said although technology remained an important part of the institution’s transformation agenda, accessibility and convenience were equally essential in ensuring that citizens could easily access public services.
Mrs Peprah explained that the establishment of ORC service desks within UMB branches would reduce the need for customers to travel long distances to access company registration and compliance services, helping to lower barriers and transactional costs for entrepreneurs and business owners.
Under the arrangement, ORC officers will be stationed at designated UMB branches to provide services including business entity registration, filing of annual returns, renewals and public education on ORC procedures.
However, services relating to re-registration, liquidation and insolvency matters will not be covered under the arrangement.
The Registrar said the collaboration reflected the importance of partnerships between public institutions and private sector organisations in improving responsiveness and creating value for citizens.
She noted that business formalisation remained an important pathway for economic growth, as registered businesses were better positioned to gain credibility, attract investment, access financing and create employment opportunities.
Mrs Peprah commended UMB Bank for supporting the initiative and for contributing to efforts aimed at creating an environment where businesses could operate and grow.
The Chief Executive Officer of UMB Bank, Dr Philip Oti Mensah, expressed appreciation to the ORC leadership for embracing the partnership and pledged the bank’s continued support towards its implementation and expansion.
The first phase of the initiative will cover UMB’s Labone, Tema and Kasoa branches, with plans to extend the service to other locations through mutual agreement between the two institutions.
Joyce Adwoa Animia Ocran, ISD
