President John Dramani Mahama has assented to 10 Bills passed by Parliament during the Second Meeting of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament, formally turning them into law.

The legislation covers key areas including taxation, revenue mobilisation, justice administration, national defence, maritime regulation and the cocoa sector.

The 10 Bills were among 12 pieces of legislation approved by Parliament during the meeting, which ended on July 31, 2026.

Following the President’s assent, the relevant institutions and agencies can now proceed with the implementation and enforcement of the new laws.

The newly enacted laws are:

Customs Act, 2026

Community Service Act, 2026

Tribunals Act, 2026

Maritime and Related Offences Act, 2026

National Defence University, Ghana Act, 2026

Income Tax (Amendment) Act, 2026

Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Act, 2026

Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026

Value Added Tax (Amendment) Act, 2026

Excise Act, 2026

The new laws are expected to shape government revenue mobilisation, taxation, customs administration, trade, justice delivery, national security and the regulation of the cocoa and maritime sectors.

Changes in Taxation and Revenue

The Income Tax (Amendment) Act, 2026, Value Added Tax (Amendment) Act, 2026, Excise Act, 2026, and Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Act, 2026 introduce changes to Ghana’s tax and revenue framework.

These measures are intended to strengthen revenue collection and provide a revised legal framework for the administration of various taxes and levies.

Customs and Trade

The Customs Act, 2026 provides a new legislative framework for customs administration and is expected to affect the management of imports, exports and related trade procedures.

Justice Administration

The Community Service Act, 2026 establishes a legal framework for community service, while the Tribunals Act, 2026 provides for the operation and administration of tribunals in Ghana.

The measures are expected to contribute to reforms in the justice system and the handling of certain categories of cases.

Maritime Regulation and National Defence

The Maritime and Related Offences Act, 2026 strengthens the legal framework for dealing with offences connected to Ghana’s maritime space.

Meanwhile, the National Defence University, Ghana Act, 2026 provides the legal basis for the establishment and operation of the National Defence University, Ghana.

Cocoa Sector

The Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026 introduces a new legislative framework governing the Ghana Cocoa Board and the administration of the country’s cocoa sector.

With presidential assent now granted, the 10 laws have moved from parliamentary approval to the implementation stage, giving the relevant state institutions the legal authority to operationalise the reforms.

The National Democratic Congress ( NDC) has appointed the Member of Parliament for Builsa North, Hon. James Agalga, as the new Majority Leader of the Parliament of Ghana.

The appointment was formally communicated to the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament in a letter dated August 24, 2026, signed by the NDC General Secretary, Hon. Fifi Fiavi Kwetey.

According to the letter, the appointment followed consultations between the leadership of the NDC and the Presidency. It takes immediate effect.

The party said the decision is aimed at providing the necessary leadership and coordination for the NDC Majority Caucus as it continues to carry out its constitutional and parliamentary responsibilities.

Hon. James Agalga, who represents the Builsa North Constituency in Parliament, is expected to lead and coordinate the NDC Majority Caucus while working with the Speaker and other Members of Parliament to advance the business of the House.

In the notification addressed to the Speaker, the NDC expressed confidence in Mr Agalga’s ability to provide the leadership required to strengthen the work of Parliament and promote the interests of the Republic.

The party also appealed for the cooperation of the Rt. Hon. Speaker and all Members of Parliament as the new Majority Leader assumes his responsibilities.

The letter was issued by the NDC National Secretariat under reference number NDC/HQ/73/045.

Hon. Fifi Fiavi Kwetey signed the notification on behalf of the leadership of the NDC and formally conveyed the party’s decision to Parliament.

NOTIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF HON. JAMES AGALGA, MP FOR BUILSA NORTH, AS MAJORITY LEADER

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that its newly established Passport Application Centres (PACs) in seven regions without previous passport application facilities have already issued 13,098 chip-embedded passports.

The development forms part of efforts by the Ministry to decentralise passport services and reduce the burden on citizens who previously had to travel long distances to other regions to apply for or obtain their passports.

The seven new PACs are located in Bolgatanga, Nalerigu, Damongo, Techiman, Dambai, Goaso and Sefwi Wiawso, serving residents across the Upper East, Ahafo, Bono East, North East, Oti, Savannah and Western North Regions.

According to figures released by the Ministry, Techiman recorded the highest number of passports issued, with 4,578, followed by Bolgatanga with 2,784.

Sefwi Wiawso has issued 2,174 passports, while Goaso has recorded 1,931 applications.

The other centres have also contributed to the total, with Dambai issuing 780 passports, Damongo 443 and Nalerigu 408.

The Ministry said the establishment of the seven centres has made a significant difference for residents in the affected regions, who previously had to undertake inconvenient journeys to other parts of the country to access passport services.

The decentralisation is expected to make the passport application process more accessible, particularly for citizens living far from Ghana’s traditional passport application centres.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that without the new PACs, thousands of residents in the seven regions would continue to make long and costly trips to other regions whenever they needed passport services.

The initiative is therefore being presented as part of the Ministry’s broader effort to improve public service delivery and make essential services more accessible to Ghanaians.

The Ministry’s message accompanying the figures was “Resetting & Serving you Better,” signalling its commitment to improving the delivery of passport services nationwide.

The Centre for Policy Scrutiny (CPS) has backed calls for an independent investigation into the reported US$1.7 billion losses associated with Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP).

In a press release, the Centre described the reported loss, estimated at approximately GH¢22 billion, as a matter of significant public interest requiring a comprehensive examination of the programme, its implementation and the financial exposure arising from it.

The CPS said it supports calls by concerned Ghanaians and various groups for an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the reported losses.

The Centre also took note of a fresh motion filed by the Minority in Parliament seeking an investigation into the matter.

According to the CPS, it welcomes the initiative and supports Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s call for the establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the reported losses.

The Centre said the proposed inquiry must establish the exact nature and source of the reported losses. It wants the investigation to examine the transactions that generated the losses, the institutions involved, the financing arrangements underpinning the programme and the basis upon which the reported figures were calculated.

The CPS further called for a detailed examination of the respective roles played by the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and GoldBod in the implementation of the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

It said the investigation should determine how the responsibilities, financial exposures and transactions of the two institutions were accounted for in relation to the programme.

Beyond establishing the reported financial loss, the Centre wants Parliament to assess whether the DGPP has delivered value that is commensurate with the resources committed to it.

It also wants the broader impact of the programme on Ghana’s foreign-exchange reserves and public finances to be examined.

The Centre for Policy Scrutiny stressed that any investigation must be transparent, evidence-based and bipartisan.

It said the proposed committee should rely on audited accounts, transaction records, contracts and other relevant documentation to establish the facts surrounding the reported losses.

According to the CPS, the parliamentary process presents an important opportunity to resolve competing claims about the reported US$1.7 billion losses and strengthen accountability in the management of Ghana’s gold and foreign-exchange resources.

The Centre is urging Parliament to proceed with the investigation and ensure that its eventual findings provide clear answers to four key questions: what happened, why it happened, who bears responsibility, and what measures are required to prevent a recurrence.

The CPS also raised concerns about the current design of the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme, describing it as “too generous” and arguing that this makes losses inevitable.

The Centre therefore recommended a redesign of the programme to minimise costs and optimise its benefits, warning that the marginal benefits of the programme will not remain positive indefinitely.

The press release was signed by Dr Adu Owusu Sarkodie, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Scrutiny.

Press Release – CPS BACKS CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION INTO REPORTED $1.7BN DGPP LOSSES

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has announced his decision to withdraw from the party’s upcoming national elections.

In a statement dated August 24, 2026, Chairman Wontumi said the decision followed several nights of prayer, sober reflection and consultations with his family, legal team, party elders, campaign team and trusted supporters.

He described the decision as painful, saying his personal circumstances should not become an additional burden on the NPP at a time when the party is working to rebuild following its electoral defeat.

“There are moments in the life of a man when the heart wants to continue, but duty demands sacrifice,” he said, adding that he had reached a point where he had to put aside his personal ambition to protect the party he considers his political family.

According to Chairman Wontumi, his decision was not motivated by a loss of interest in the NPP or its cause. Rather, he said he did not want his current situation to distract the party from what he described as the difficult work of rebuilding and preparing for the political battle ahead.

He recalled his years of service to the party, saying he had travelled to remote communities and stood with the NPP’s grassroots supporters in both victory and defeat.

He said he had served the party with his voice, strength, resources and entire heart, describing the NPP as more than a political organisation to him.

“The NPP is not merely a political party to me. It is my family. It is my home. It is a cause to which I have dedicated a significant part of my life,” he stated.

Chairman Wontumi acknowledged the disappointment his withdrawal could cause among his supporters across all 16 regions.

He said many supporters had opened their homes and hearts to him, travelled long distances to meet him and continued to support him even during difficult and dangerous periods.

He also acknowledged supporters who, according to him, had cried, fasted and prayed for him, as well as those who had endured ridicule, intimidation and personal attacks because of their belief in him.

He assured them that he remained aware of their support and prayers, saying his current circumstances could restrict his physical movement but could not sever his connection with them or weaken his faith in God.

Wontumi also expressed gratitude to his campaign team, coordinators, constituency and regional executives, Members of Parliament, former government appointees, communicators, electoral-area coordinators, polling-station executives, youth and women’s groups, volunteer movements and members of the diaspora.

He said their sacrifices, encouragement and prayers would remain with him.

Despite withdrawing from the NPP national elections, Chairman Wontumi insisted that his decision should not be interpreted as surrender.

He maintained that he remained committed to the pursuit of truth and justice and said he continued to believe that justice would prevail at the appointed time.

“I have not surrendered, and I will never surrender in the pursuit of truth and justice,” he said.

He explained that his decision was intended to prevent his personal circumstances from becoming a source of distraction, division or additional pressure on the NPP.

He further reminded his supporters that no individual, including himself, was bigger than the party.

Chairman Wontumi appealed to his supporters not to allow their disappointment over his situation to affect their commitment to the NPP.

He specifically urged them not to insult anyone in his name, attack any aspirant because of him or abandon the party because he was going through what he described as a difficult season.

“If you truly love me, then remain loyal to the tradition I have spent my life serving,” he said.

A major part of Chairman Wontumi’s message was his appeal to NPP supporters to remain firmly behind the party’s leader, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

He said Dr Bawumia needed the prayers, loyalty and total support of party members as he worked to rebuild the NPP.

According to him, the party’s leader could not rebuild the organisation alone and would require the collective efforts of constituencies, polling-station executives, communicators, young people and other committed members of the party.

He therefore urged NPP members to put aside bitterness and close their ranks to create a united, disciplined and formidable party capable of returning to power.

“Whatever pain we feel today must never be allowed to destroy the greater battle ahead,” he said.

Chairman Wontumi said his withdrawal represents only one chapter in his life and not the end of his political journey.

He thanked those who had stood by him and prayed for him, while also saying he held no bitterness towards people who disagreed with him.

He reaffirmed his loyalty and continued service to the NPP, describing his withdrawal as a painful pause rather than a goodbye.

“This is not goodbye. It is not the end of the journey. It is only a painful pause in a much greater story that God Himself is still writing,” he stated.

He encouraged his supporters to remain strong, united and loyal to the NPP and to continue supporting Dr Bawumia.

Chairman Wontumi concluded by saying that although his body may be confined, his heart remains with his supporters and the party.

He expressed hope that, if it was the will of God, he would meet his supporters again “not in sorrow, but in joy; not in defeat, but in victory.”

“The battle is still the Lord’s,” he said.

The statement was signed on his behalf by Ewuradjoa Coleman, Director of Communications & Media.

STATEMENT ON THE NPP NATIONAL ELECTIONS