Register a cooperative society

Register a cooperative society with the Department of Cooperatives under the Cooperative Societies Decree, 1968 (NLCD 252). Registration gives your group legal status to own property, enter contracts, and access credit.

Before you apply

Hold an inaugural meeting of all founding members, elect provisional officers, and agree on the by-laws. The Department of Cooperatives can provide a model by-laws template to speed up the process.

Step by step

1. Hold the inaugural meeting and prepare the minutes, signed by all members.
2. Draft your by-laws or adapt the Department’s model template.
3. Collect Ghana Cards or identity details of all founding members.
4. Submit the application form, minutes, by-laws, and member list to the District Department of Cooperatives office.
5. Pay the registration fee.
6. The Department reviews, registers the society, and issues a certificate of registration.

After you register

Open a bank account in the cooperative’s name using the certificate. File annual returns with the Department. The Department may conduct supervisory inspections to ensure the cooperative operates within its by-laws.