By Grace Zigah
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has extended the deadline for the registration of International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) operating in the country, giving existing operators additional time to regularise their operations under the central bank’s new regulatory framework.
In a notice issued on June 12, 2026, the central bank announced that all existing IMTOs now have until July 31, 2026, to complete their registration process and submit the required documentation in accordance with the Guidelines for the Registration and Operations of International Money Transfer Operators in Ghana.
The latest directive, referenced as Notice No. BG/GOV/SEC/2026/13, follows an earlier notice issued by the Bank of Ghana on January 20, 2026, which introduced new requirements governing the operations of international money transfer companies within the financial system.
The extension comes as the central bank intensifies efforts to strengthen oversight of the rapidly growing remittance industry, which remains a critical source of foreign exchange inflows and supports thousands of households and businesses across the country.
According to the Bank of Ghana, the additional period is intended to allow existing operators sufficient time to comply with the new regulatory requirements and formalise their operations within the stipulated legal framework.
“All existing IMTOs are urged to take advantage of this extension to regularise their operations and submit all required documentation to the Bank of Ghana on or before the stated deadline,” the notice stated.
The central bank, however, issued a strong warning to operators who fail to meet the new deadline.
It stressed that any existing IMTO that does not complete the registration process by July 31, 2026, will no longer be permitted to operate in Ghana.
The Bank further indicated that any existing partnerships, agency arrangements or business relationships between non-compliant IMTOs and regulated financial institutions, including banks, Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions (SDIs) and Payment Service Providers (PSPs), would automatically become invalid.
“For the avoidance of doubt, existing IMTOs that fail to comply with the registration requirements within the stipulated timeframe shall not be permitted to operate in Ghana,” the central bank warned.
The Bank added that such entities could also face additional regulatory sanctions and enforcement actions under applicable financial sector laws.
As part of the directive, all banks, SDIs and PSPs have been instructed to ensure strict compliance with the registration requirements and avoid maintaining relationships with operators that fail to secure the necessary approvals.
The move forms part of a broader regulatory reform agenda being pursued by Governor Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama and the Bank of Ghana to strengthen supervision across the financial services industry.
