Accra: The Parliament of Ghana has successfully passed twelve significant bills, addressing vital sectors of the economy, marking the conclusion of the Second Meeting of the First Session of the Ninth Parliament. These legislative measures encompass areas such as the cocoa sector, local governance, justice, defence, maritime security, taxation, investment promotion, and energy financing.
According to Ghana Web, the newly passed bills aim to reinforce public institutions, rejuvenate essential economic sectors, enhance revenue collection, and support national development objectives. Among the notable legislative changes, the Parliament has decided to remove excise duty on locally produced fruit juices, reflecting a broader strategy to stimulate local production and consumption.
The list of passed bills includes the Human Sexual Rights and Family Bill, 2025, which seeks to criminalise LGBTQ activities while offering exemptions for legal practitioners, journalists, and media organisations in their professional roles. The Ghana Investment Promotion Authority Bill, 2025, introduces a modern framework for investment promotion, facilitation, and regulation, aiming to attract foreign and local investments.
The Maritime and Related Offences Bill, 2026, aims to fortify Ghana's legal stance against crimes at sea, aligning with international conventions. The Community Service Bill, 2026, provides alternative sentencing for minor offences, promoting community rehabilitation. In defence, the National Defence University, Ghana Bill, 2026, establishes an institution dedicated to defence education and research.
Tax reforms are also a significant focus, with the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aiming to simplify tax processes and provide relief for small businesses. The Tribunals Bill, 2026, enhances access to justice, while the Customs Bill, 2026, discourages the importation of older vehicles and encourages local manufacturing.
Further, the Excise Bill, 2026, promotes local fruit juice production by eliminating excise duties, and the Ghana Cocoa Bill, 2026, strengthens COCOBOD's regulatory role and introduces new funding for local processors. Lastly, the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aims to correct subsidy loopholes in the petroleum sector.
These legislative actions reflect a comprehensive approach to addressing economic challenges and institutional inefficiencies in Ghana, setting the stage for future growth and development.