Last year in March, The Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia announced 10 different measures which would be introduced by Ghana’s Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in an effort to improve Ghana’s business environment by the year’s end.
We followed up to check on how many of those measures have been completed:
Measures:
For companies applying to register without a TIN number, the TIN number will now be generated automatically online at the point of application;
Status: Not Done Yet
At the moment, the online process still remains the same where companies still have to register their TINs separately before applying on the Register General Department online.
A mobile app and an online platform for the ease of filing tax returns; Individuals will be able to file their taxes online by April 2019
Status: Partly Done
At the moment, there’s not a full mobile app in which users can file their taxes but there is a website/platform to file taxes online which is mobile friendly.
Implementation of an electronic justice system that allows the automated serving of court process with speed and ease
Status: In Progress
An e-justice was announced last year but it has yet to officially go live for the automation of court processes.
Removal of the requirement for a commissioner of oaths in registering a company when the companies bill is passed
Status: Done
Merger of all four starting-a-business application forms: TIN application, SSNIT application, Business Operating Permit application, and Business Registration forms
Status: Not Done Yet
This is still in progress and hasn’t fully been done.
Automation of the application for Business Operating Permit along with instant online issuance following payment
Status: Not Done Yet
This has also not been operationalized yet and the process is still manual.
Reduction and automation of the steps to getting electricity;
Status: Done
The Vice President recently officially launched the ECG Power App where consumers and businesses can digitally add their meters to the app and make payments of bills online.
Automation of the construction permit system along with instant online issuance following payments;
Status: Not Done Yet
The process of obtaining and payment of construction permits is still done through the manual process.
Reduction in physical examination of containers through the use of risk engine;
Status: In Progress/Done
The Tema Port had announced last year that they had drastically reduced the physical examination of containers
Passage of the Insolvency Bill and the Companies’ Bill into law by Parliament
Status: In Progress
The last update was that the current bill was going through the official process in parliament and had not yet passed.
Of all the 10 measures announced, four (4) have been completed and fully done while the remaining six (6) were still in progress or uncompleted.
