Speaker Bagbin Leads Parliament to Pass 11 Major Bills Targeting Economic Reform and Social Values

Ghana’s Parliament has concluded the Second Meeting of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament, marking a highly productive period that saw the passage of 11 significant bills between May 21 and July 31, 2026. The legislative agenda focused on a broad range of sectors including economic management, criminal justice reform, national security, and social development. These reforms are designed to modernize public administration, strengthen state institutions, and improve revenue mobilization under the current administration of President John Mahama. Speaker Alban Bagbin noted that the session was instrumental in addressing critical gaps in the country’s legal and economic frameworks.

A major highlight of the session was a suite of four tax-related bills aimed at boosting revenue and providing economic relief. The Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026, notably exempts the national daily minimum wage from income tax to support low-income earners, while the Excise Bill, 2026, abolished the 20% duty on locally produced fruit juices to stimulate the agro-processing sector. Additionally, Parliament approved the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Bill to combat tax evasion and subsidy abuses. Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson informed the house that mislabeling diesel as fuel oil had cost the state approximately US$25 million in the first half of 2026, and the new amendments aim to prevent annual losses of nearly GH₵1 billion.

In the realm of justice and security, the Ninth Parliament passed the Community Service Bill, which introduces alternative sentencing to reduce prison congestion and modernize the criminal justice system. National security was also bolstered through the Maritime and Related Offences Bill and the National Defence University Bill, the latter of which establishes a specialized institution for high-level defense education. The Ghana Investment Promotion Authority (GIPA) Bill was also passed to create a more robust framework for attracting and regulating foreign and domestic investments, aligning with the government's economic revitalization goals.

Social and religious discourse featured prominently during the session, particularly following Speaker Bagbin’s visit to the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Nuhu Sharubutu. The Speaker commended the Chief Imam for his role in national unity and announced plans for a 'Sunset Fund' to support the Imam’s education trust. During these engagements, Bagbin addressed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, promising revisions to the current draft to ensure it meets legislative standards before its final passage. While 11 bills were successfully cleared, the Speaker noted that work continues on other critical items, including amendments regarding dual citizenship and the Public Procurement Authority, which remain under consideration for the next meeting.