President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday assented to five bills passed by Parliament, including three amendment bills, in a ceremony at the Jubilee House.
The new laws are:
- Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 2026
- University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences Act, 2026
- Ghana Deposit Protection (Amendment) Act, 2026
- Growth and Sustainability Levy (Amendment) Act, 2026
- Education Regulatory Bodies (Amendment) Act, 2026
In his remarks, President Mahama explained that the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act abolishes the Office of the Minister of National Security, allowing the President to appoint any minister to supervise security agencies. It also restores the name of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) to its original designation, the Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI), to avoid confusion with the National Investment Bank.
The University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences Act establishes a new institution in Bonsu, Eastern Region, with additional campuses at Ohawu in the Oti Region and Acherensua in the Ahafo Region.
On fiscal matters, the President noted that the Growth and Sustainability Levy amendment reduces the levy on mining companies from 3% back to 1%, following the introduction of a sliding scale for royalties.
The Education Regulatory Bodies amendment grants greater flexibility to private tertiary institutions, including the option to charter. Meanwhile, the Ghana Deposit Protection amendment expands coverage to include mobile money wallets and other digital financial platforms, ensuring broader protection for depositors.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by senior government officials, including Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, Attorney General Dr. Dominic Akrutinga Ayine, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, and other aides and advisors.
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