The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act 2013 governs covered foreign investments. Under GIPC’s current published framework, the usual minimum foreign equity is US$200,000 for a joint venture in which the Ghanaian partner holds at least 10%, US$500,000 for a wholly foreign-owned enterprise, and US$1 million for a general trading enterprise, which must employ at least 20 skilled Ghanaians.

GIPC identifies manufacturing, export trading and portfolio investment among the categories exempt from the general minimum-equity requirement, subject to statutory conditions. Classification follows substance. A company should not rely on an exemption because its objects mention manufacturing if it will in fact buy and sell imported finished goods.

Capital may comprise cash, qualifying capital goods or a permitted combination. Cash requires the banking evidence described above. Capital goods should be imported in the registered company’s name and supported by invoices, shipping, inspection, customs and capitalisation records. The full framework appears in the GIPC Act 2013.

GIPC registration does not replace incorporation, tax, immigration or sector licensing. Nor does it cure an activity reserved to Ghanaians or a sector-specific ownership restriction. The investor should maintain a register of capital introduced, evidence used, approvals, commitments and changes to activity or ownership.

The Act protects qualifying transfers of dividends, profits, loan payments, capital and sale or liquidation proceeds through authorised dealer banks after taxes and documentary conditions. Repatriation therefore begins with correct inward documentation. Restructuring the ownership, converting debt to equity or changing the business classification should be reviewed before implementation.