What You Need Before You Start
Have a simple idea: What will you sell or what service will you offer? For example, food delivery, hair products, clothes, or phone accessories.
Know your customer: Are you selling to students, workers, parents, or small shops? Decide how you will sell: Will you sell in a shop, sell online, or both? Many people in Ghana now sell online because it's way easier and can bring significant returns if done well.
Basic Steps to Start a Business
Choose a business name: Pick a clear name that is easy to remember, then check if someone else is not already using it by doing a name search at the Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC).
Choose your business type: For small starters, common options are sole proprietor (one person) or company limited by shares.
Register at ORC:
IMPORTANT: If you're just starting out, you can choose to skip this step until your business starts to make significant profits.
- Fill the registration forms with your name, address, business name, and what you do.
- Submit the forms and pay the filing fees and stamp duty at the ORC or its in-house bank.
- Get a Tax Identification Number (TIN): You need a TIN from the Ghana Revenue Authority so you can pay tax and be fully legal.
Money and Legal Basics
Registration costs: Business name (sole proprietor) has lower fees, often a few hundred cedis in filing and service charges.
A company limited by shares pays a filing fee (about GHS 450) plus stamp duty of 1% of stated capital.
Extra permits: If you sell food, run a bar, or do something in a special sector, you may need extra licences from your district assembly or other regulators. Keep records: Always write down sales, expenses, and profits so you can see if your business is growing.
Selling Online
You do not always need a physical shop to start in Ghana; many people start from their phone.
Apps like Strawlo let you:
- Create your own online store in minutes.
- Add product photos, prices, and descriptions.
- Share your store link on WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok or wherever.
- Receive payments through mobile money, and cards and track orders and customers in one place. This makes it easy for even a small business to look professional, manage stock, and reach buyers outside their area.
Simple Tips for New Ghanaian Entrepreneurs
Start small: Begin with a few products or one clear service and grow as you learn what people like. Talk to customers: Ask them what they want more of and what they don’t like; use that feedback to improve. Use social media: Post clear pictures, prices, and your Strawlo store link so people can order easily. Stay legal: Renew your business name or company on time and keep your tax records in order.
FAQs
1. How much does it cost to start a company in Ghana?
To register a business name (sole proprietorship), expect official fees in the low hundreds of cedis, depending on service type and any VIP options. To register a company limited by shares, you pay around GHS 450 in incorporation filing fees plus stamp duty of 1% of your stated share capital, plus any professional or extra licence costs.
2. What is the best business to start in Ghana?
There is no single “best” business; good choices match what people need in your area and what you are good at, such as food, delivery, fashion, beauty, small farming, or phone-related services.
Right now, selling products online (fashion, hair, electronics, home items, etc.) is very popular, especially when you use a simple online store tool like Strawlo to reach buyers across Ghana & beyond.
3. How to start a business in Ghana from home?
A smart way to start from home is to sell online using an easy store builder, then promote your link and deliver from your house. For a step-by-step home-based guide, see: This Guide.
4. What business can I start with 5,000 Ghana cedis in Ghana?
With GHS 5,000 you can start small online retail (clothes, beauty products, phone accessories, snacks) and use an online store to manage sales and payments. For detailed ideas and product lists, visit: This Guide.
5. What business can I start with 10,000 cedis in Ghana?
With GHS 10,000 you can stock more products, improve packaging, run simple ads, and set up a strong online store to serve customers nationwide and even abroad. Get specific business ideas and examples: Here.
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