ACCRA, Ghana, 26th August: President John Dramani Mahama has assented to 10 Bills passed by Parliament, bringing them into law as part of his administration’s ongoing legislative and policy reforms.
The newly enacted laws cover a wide range of areas, including customs administration, taxation, energy, cocoa, maritime offences, national defence, and the administration of justice.
After signing the Bills into law, President Mahama outlined the significance of each legislation and how they are expected to impact the country.
The Customs Act, 2026, consolidates various Customs laws and amendments into a single piece of legislation. According to President Mahama, the move will simplify the administration of customs, improve efficiency and help close loopholes that have contributed to revenue losses.
The Community Service Act, 2026, provides for non-custodial sentences for misdemeanours and other minor offences. President Mahama explained that instead of sending people to prison for relatively minor offences, offenders could be sentenced to community service, reducing the cost of keeping inmates in prison.
The Tribunals Act, 2026, gives effect to the constitutional provision for regional tribunals. The President said the legislation empowers the Chief Justice to establish regional tribunals to deal with specified categories of offences.
The Maritime and Related Offences Act, 2026, provides domestic legislation for dealing with crimes and offences committed at sea. President Mahama said the law also gives effect to Ghana’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The National Defence University Act, 2026, gives legal and statutory backing to the National Defence University. It also provides the framework for the university’s courses and accreditation.
On taxation, the Income Tax Amendment Act, 2026, exempts workers who earn the minimum wage or below from paying income tax.
The Energy Sector Levies Amendment Act, 2026, addresses the taxation of fuel oil used by factories and maritime vessels. President Mahama said the measure is intended to close a loophole that had resulted in abuse of previous exemptions. Under the new arrangement, affected users are required to pay the relevant taxes and provide evidence of reinvestment.
The President also highlighted the Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026, describing it as an important piece of legislation for the cocoa sector.
He said the law incorporates reforms aimed at ensuring that at least 50 per cent of Ghana’s cocoa beans are processed locally. It also captures the government’s commitment to ensure cocoa farmers receive 70 per cent of the world market price for cocoa.
“Promise made, promise fulfilled,” President Mahama said while outlining the provisions of the legislation.
The Value Added Tax Amendment Bill, 2026, provides for adjustments to the VAT regime. President Mahama explained that the legislation also provides for the exemption of large-scale gold mining companies from VAT on the 30 per cent of their gold surrendered to the Bank of Ghana under the new arrangement.
The final legislation, the Excise Act, 2026, consolidates previous excise laws and amendments into a single framework. It covers dutiable products including alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and other applicable goods, while seeking to close loopholes that contribute to revenue leakage.
President Mahama said the law also provides an incentive for local manufacturers of fruit juices by exempting them from excise duty.
The President said the 10 laws form part of broader efforts by his administration to strengthen public institutions, improve revenue mobilisation, promote local industrialisation, reform the justice system and address longstanding gaps in Ghana’s legislative framework.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/ Presidential Affairs Correspondent | Ghana 🇬🇭
