President John Dramani Mahama has assented to five bills passed by Parliament, including three amendment bills, in a move aimed at strengthening governance, education, financial protection, and the mining sector.
The bills were signed into law on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at a brief ceremony at the Presidency.
Bills signed into law
The five bills are:
- Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 2026
- University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences Act, 2026
- Ghana Deposit Protection (Amendment) Act, 2025
- Growth and Sustainability Levy (Amendment) Act, 2026
- Education Regulatory Bodies (Amendment) Act, 2026
Security and Intelligence Agencies Act
Speaking after signing the bills, President Mahama explained that the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act scraps the Office of the Minister of National Security and allows the President to appoint any minister to supervise the security agencies.
He also noted that the law restores the name of the National Intelligence Bureau back to its former name, the Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI), to avoid confusion with the National Investment Bank.
According to the President, the change will help clearly distinguish the intelligence agency from the financial institution.
New University established
On education, President Mahama said the University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences Act establishes a new public university with campuses in three regions.
The main campus will be located at Bonsu in the Eastern Region, while the second campus will be sited at Ohawu in the Oti Region. The third campus will be located at Acherensua in the Ahafo Region.
The university is expected to focus on engineering, agriculture, and applied sciences to support industrial and agricultural development.
Growth and Sustainability Levy reduced
Touching on the Growth and Sustainability Levy Amendment Act, the President explained that the levy on mining companies has been reduced from 3 percent back to 1 percent following the introduction of a sliding scale of royalties in the mining sector.
He said the adjustment is intended to align the levy with the new royalty structure.
Deposit Protection expanded to mobile money
President Mahama also stated that the Ghana Deposit Protection Amendment Act expands deposit protection beyond traditional banks to include mobile money wallets and other digital financial platforms.
The amendment is expected to protect a wider range of digital financial assets and strengthen confidence in digital financial services.
Flexibility for private tertiary institutions
The Education Regulatory Bodies Amendment Act amends Act 1023 to grant greater flexibility to private tertiary institutions, including the option to apply for a charter.
Officials present
The signing ceremony was witnessed by several government officials, including the Vice President, Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, Attorney General Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, Secretary to the President Callistus Mahama, Senior Presidential Advisor Joyce Bawa Mogtari, and the Clerk of Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror.
The new laws are expected to take effect after their gazetting in accordance with Ghana’s legislative process.