Laws and Regulations
The laws governing business operations in Ghana are designed to align with international standards and best practices. These laws encompass various aspects of business activities, including copyrights, patents, trademarks, dispute resolution, and labor relations.
Ghana is a signatory to several International Conventions on Industrial and Intellectual Property, including the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), demonstrating its commitment to protecting intellectual property rights. Additionally, there are numerous public sector ministries, departments, agencies, as well as private legal, business consulting, and accounting firms available to provide expert guidance on conducting business in Ghana.
The sanctity of contracts is upheld, ensuring the respect for commercial rights and obligations. In the event of a breach, damages awarded are compensatory rather than punitive. Furthermore, an independent court system is in place to ensure fair and impartial protection of rights.
To facilitate efficient dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration, and other alternative forms of dispute resolution are readily accessible and commonly employed in Ghana.
Key Investment Related Legislation in Ghana
Selected Sectors And Key Legislations That Apply
Banking
Banks and Specialized Deposit Taking Institutions Act, 2016, (Act 930)
Foreign Exchange Act, 2006 (Act 723)
Regulator: Bank of Ghana
Petroleum
- Petroleum Commission Act, 2011 (Act 821)
- Petroleum (Exploration And Production) Law 2016, (Act 919)
- The Petroleum (Local Content and Local Participation) Regulations, 2013, LI 2204
Regulator (Upstream): Petroleum Commission
- National Petroleum Authority Act, 2005 (Act 691) as Amended by National Petroleum Authority (Amendment) Act, 2016 (Act 913)
Regulator (Downstream): National Petroleum Authority
Mining
The Minerals Commission Act, 1993 (Act 450)
Minerals And Mining Act 2006 (Act 703)
- Minerals and Mining (Licensing) Regulations 2012 (LI 2176)
Regulator: Minerals Commission
Energy
- Energy Commission Act, 1997 (Act 549) as amended by the Energy Commission (Amendment) Act, 2016 (Act 933)
- Renewable Energy Act, 2011(ACT 832)
Regulator: Energy Commission
Taxation
Income Tax Act, 2015 (Act 896)
Ghana Revenue Authority Act 2009, (Act 791)
Tax Authority: Ghana Revenue Authority
Protection of Intellectual Property Rights
Copyright Act, 2005 (Act 690)
Trade Marks Act, 2004 (Act 664)
Regulator: Office of the Registrar of Companies
International Investment Agreements
The Government of Ghana has entered into Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs), as well as Double Taxation Agreements with a number of countries to further enhance the protection and security of the investment regime. The details are indicated in the following tables. Executed And Ratified Bilateral Investment Treaties Between The Republic Of Ghana And Other CountriesOther country to the Agreement | Date of Signature | Date of Entry of into Force |
|---|---|---|
The United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland | 22-March-1989 | 25-October-1991 |
The Kingdom of the Netherlands | 31-March-1989 | 1-July-1991 |
The People’s Republic of China | 12-October-1989 | 12-November-1991 |
The Kingdom of Denmark | 13-January-1992 | 6-January-1995 |
The Swiss Confederation | 8-October-1991 | 16-January-1993 |
The Federal Republic of Germany | 24-January-19 | 23-November-1998 |
The Federation of Malaysia | 8-November-1996 | 18-April-1997 |
The Republic of Serbia | 25-April-2000 | 07-July-2000 |
The Republic of Burkina Faso | 18-May-2001 | 18-August-2003 |
Executed And Unratified Bilateral Investment Treaties Between The Republic Of Ghana And Other Countries
No. | Other country to the Agreement | Date of Entry of into Force |
|---|---|---|
1. | Socialist Republic of Romania | 14- September-1989 |
2. | People’s Republic of Bulgaria | 20-October-1989 |
3. | La Cote d’Ivoire | 4-November -1997 |
4. | Egypt | 11-March- 1998 |
5. | Republic of France | 26-March-1999 |
6. | Republic of Cuba | 3-November-1999 |
7. | Federal Republic of Yugoslavia | 25-April- 2000 |
8. | Republic of Mauritius | 18-May-2001 |
9. | Republic of Burkina Faso | 18-May -2001 |
10. | Republic of Benin | 18- May -2001 |
11. | Republic of Guinea | 18- May -2001 |
12. | Republic of Zambia | 18- May -2001 |
13. | The Kingdom of Spain | 6-October -2006 |
14. | Republic of Botswana | 17-July-2007 |
15. | Republic of Barbados | 28 -April-2008 |
16. | Islamic Republic of Iran | 10- August-2012 |
17. | Republic of Turkey | 1-March- 2016 |
18. | State of Qatar | 24-December-2017 |
No. | Other country to the Agreement | Date of Entry of into Force |
|---|---|---|
1. | Belgium | 17-October-2008 |
2. | Denmark | 10-November-2015 |
3. | France | 1-April-1997 |
4. | Germany | 14-December-2007 |
5. | Italy | 5-July-2006 |
6. | Netherlands | 12-November-2008 |
7. | South Africa | 23-April-2008 |
8. | Switzerland | 20-December-2009 |
9. | United Kingdom | 10-August-1994 |
10. | Mauritius | 27-January-2020 |
11. | Singapore | 1-January-2020 |
No. | Country | Signed (Not Entered into Force) |
|---|---|---|
1. | Mauritius | 11-March-2017 |
2. | Morocco | 7-February-2017 |
3. | Singapore | 31-March-2017 |
Business Regulatory Reform
The vision and policy direction of Government is one of hope, jobs, wealth creation, and a robust economy that supports a thriving private sector. This vision is crystalized in a comprehensive set of initiatives, critical interventions and business regulatory reform towards making Ghana the most business-friendly country in Africa.
The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Trade and Industry is currently implementing a national Business Regulatory Reform Programme as one of the key interventions to create an investment-friendly, transparent and predictable policy environment in Ghana.
The Business Regulatory Reforms Portal, which results from the reform programme, responds to the need for government to anchor doing business reforms on a permanent and sustainable basis in line with its vision.
The portal, which includes an Electronic Registry of Acts, Legislative Instruments, Regulatory Notices, Administrative Directives, Procedures, Forms and Fees has been developed to provide free and transparent access to business regulations.
Click here to access the Business Regulatory Reforms Portal for more details on legislation applicable to your business in Ghana.