President John Dramani Mahama has today assented to five bills passed by Parliament, a legislative move expected to bring significant changes to Ghana’s security architecture, education system, and financial regulations.
The bills, signed into law on Tuesday, March 31, include the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 2026, the University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences Act, 2026, the Ghana Deposit Protection (Amendment) Act, 2026, the Growth and Sustainability Levy (Amendment) Act, 2026, and the Education Regulatory Bodies (Amendment) Act, 2026.
Speaking after the ceremony, President Mahama highlighted key reforms under the new Security and Intelligence Agencies Act. “The new Security and Intelligence Agencies Act abolishes the Office of the Minister of National Security, allowing the President to assign oversight of security agencies to any minister,” he said. He added that the law restores the name of the National Intelligence Bureau to its original designation, the Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI), to avoid confusion with the National Investment Bank.
On education, the President noted that the University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences Act establishes a new public university with its main campus at Bonsu in the Eastern Region, and additional campuses at Ohawu in the Oti Region and Acherensua in the Ahafo Region.
Addressing fiscal policy, President Mahama explained that the Growth and Sustainability Levy (Amendment) Act reduces the levy on mining companies from 3 per cent to 1 per cent, following the introduction of a sliding scale for royalties.
He also outlined reforms in the education sector, noting that the Education Regulatory Bodies (Amendment) Act provides greater flexibility for private tertiary institutions, including the option to obtain charters.
On financial sector reforms, the President emphasized the importance of modernizing protections for Ghana’s digital economy. “The Ghana Deposit Protection (Amendment) Act expands deposit protection beyond traditional banking to include mobile money wallets and other digital financial platforms. This ensures a wider scope of digital financial assets are secured,” he said.
The signing ceremony was attended by senior government officials, including Clerk of Parliament Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, Secretary to the President Callistus Mahama, Attorney General and Minister for Justice Dominic Ayine, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson, and Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
