1. Ghana
Capability Statement
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2. Von Essen Consulting Ghana
Availability g Von Essen Consulting supports the following expatriate nationals taking assignments in Ghana with certain visa
restrictions. Currently, all nationalities entering Ghana need a visa before arrival except;
• The Entry Visa can be obtained upon arrival in the country by the Economic Community Of West African
States (ECOWAS) nationals* and those of other countries** with which the Government of Ghana has
specific bilateral agreements (a maximum of 60 days stay or 90 days in the case of ECOWAS nationals is
granted) *Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger,
Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo **Egypt, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Morocco, Singapore, Zimbabwe
Immigration g Types of visa including validity, processing time, general requirements, costs.
Time
Type of visa Validity Documents Required Costs
scales
1) Photocopy of consultants passport
Business 1-2 months from approx. USD 350
including biodata page
Visa date of issue 2-3
2) Itinerary of trip
weeks
3Consultants job title and description
4) Name of company he will be working for
5) Proof of accommodation
Emergency 2 weeks from 4-7 1) Photocopy of valid passport
USD 470
Entry Permit date of issue working (front page + photo page)
days
2) Consultant’s CV
3) Police Report
For 4) Medical Report
Business visa - (general medical status + inoculations)
Extension or tourist visa’s 2
Entry Permit (Valid for one weeks (Police and medical reports can be from either
USD 420
to two months) consultant home country or the country where
they are working currently)
Work 5) Job Title/Description
Ordinary Work permit 4-6
Permit & 6) Contract start date/duration USD 1,400.00
(Valid for One Year) weeks
Residency
Permit 7) Completed application form
8) Contract of employment/offer letter
Resident Permit (prepared & signed by Local Partner)
after Work permit 4 9) Four passport size photographs
Approval weeks 10) NOL (no objection letter) if consultant
(Valid for One
Year- Renewable) already working in Ghana
11) Letter of consultant acceptance
(prepared by local partner, signed by Consultant)
USD 2,500.00
(Valid for One 6-8 All of the above
Year- Renewable) weeks
Work 1) Confirmation of 10,000 USD Funds Transfer
Permit & from Bank of Ghana.
Residency
Permit 2) Transfer of Shares to Investor at
(Difficult Company’s Registry.
Nationali-
ties) 3)Registration of Investor at Ghana
Investment Promotion Centre
Limitations
NB: Consultants either on entry permit or business visa cannot start officially working in Ghana unless that person
is granted a Residence Permit by the Director of Immigration to remain and work in the country. Therefore, to
speed up the process the application for a Work/Residence Permit will typically be made at the same time as
the Business or Entry Visa, i.e. before Consultant arrives in country.
Types of g • Employed
Solution
available
cont....
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3. Von Essen Consulting Ghana
Withholding g There are no withholding taxes on invoices for services from outside Ghana.
Taxes
Contract g Von Essen can hold a direct contract with either the end client or the agency depending on the requirements
and of the agency. Where they hold a contract with the end client the agency would hold a separate side contract
with Von Essen for their margin. Employed consultants will hold a direct employment contract with the Von Essen
Payment
partner, which in turn holds a service contract with Von Essen
structure
Taxation g Income Tax
Taxes are levied in Ghana on all Personal Income. There are 5 progressive Tax Bands, which range from 5% for all
income over 220 GH¢ per annum up to 25% on all income over 9600 GH¢ per annum. There is a Personal
Allowance of 240 GH¢ available to Expatriate Employees in Ghana.
Social Security
The Social Security Contributions are non-compulsorily/optional for Expatriate Employees. The employee
contributes 2.5% of basic salary while the employer contributes 20.1% of the employee's basic salary to the Social
Security and National Insurance Trust.
Banking and g Local banking is sometimes required when operating in Ghana. Von Essen will provide advice on setting up a
other local local bank account for consultants to use while working on a project. Von Essen can also assist with the following
services services for a separate cost:
• Meet and Greet – approx. USD 150.00
• Mobile phone and sim cards
• Hotel accommodation – approx. USD 200.00 per night for well known, secure, high quality hotels
• Car Hire – approx. USD 65.00 per day
• Medical Insurance – from USD 300.00 – 850.00 depending on scheme chosen
• Driving licence – USD 200.00
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4. Head Office
+41(0)22 819 1814
UK Office
+44 (0) 207 997 6950
www.vonessenconsulting.com