Mahama signs 10 laws to drive economic growth
President John Dramani Mahama has assented to 10 major legislative bills as part of his government’s efforts to accelerate economic growth, strengthen revenue mobilisation and improve justice delivery.
The new laws cover key areas including agriculture, taxation, customs, energy, maritime security, education, social protection and law enforcement.
He added that,the legislative reforms are intended to fulfill major campaign commitments while creating a stronger legal framework for sustainable national development.
He made the remarks after signing the bills into law in the presence of Chief of Staff Julius Debrah and other members of government.
One of the key pieces of legislation is the Community Service Act, 2026, which introduces non-custodial sentences for people convicted of minor offenses.
President Mahama said the measure would help reduce overcrowding in prisons, cut the cost of maintaining inmates and provide offenders with opportunities for rehabilitation.
He said people convicted of less serious offences could instead be required to perform community service for the period specified by the court.
The President also highlighted the Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026, which he said forms part of efforts to reform the cocoa sector and improve returns to farmers.
Under the new legislation, the government’s commitment to process at least 50 percent of Ghana’s cocoa locally has been incorporated into the legal framework. The Act also provides for cocoa farmers to receive 70 percent of the international market price for cocoa.
He reiterated that, the provisions represented the fulfillment of commitments made to cocoa farmers.
The Income Tax Amendment Act, 2026 is expected to provide relief for low-income workers by exempting employees who earn the minimum wage or below from income tax.
The President said the measure would help reduce the tax burden on the lowest-paid workers.
In the industrial sector, the Excise Act, 2026 consolidates excise duties and introduces measures aimed at preventing revenue losses from imported dutiable products, including alcohol and cigarettes.
The legislation also provides targeted exemptions for local manufacturers, including producers of fruit juices, as an incentive to support domestic production.
Three other laws focus on improving revenue administration and fiscal efficiency.
The Customs Act, 2026 brings various amendments to Ghana’s customs laws into a single statute. President Mahama said the consolidation would simplify administration, improve efficiency and close loopholes that have contributed to revenue losses.
The Energy Sector Levies Amendment Act, 2026 seeks to address the abuse of fuel oil exemptions previously available to certain factories and maritime operators. Under the new arrangements, beneficiaries will be required to pay applicable taxes upfront and provide evidence before seeking reimbursement.
Meanwhile, the Value Added Tax (VAT) Amendment Act, 2026 introduces changes to VAT administration in line with recent monetary policy measures.
Under the amendment, large-scale gold mining companies that surrender 30 percent of their gold production to the Bank of Ghana will not be required to pay VAT on those quantities.
President Mahama said the combined effect of the new laws would be to strengthen public institutions, improve revenue collection, support local industries and advance reforms across critical sectors of the economy.
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