Mahama Assents to 10 Bills, Giving Legal Effect to Major Reforms

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.