Parliament Passes Landmark Investment Promotion Bill as Government Initiates Major Legislative Overhaul

Ghana’s legislative landscape is undergoing a significant transformation as Parliament has officially passed the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority (GIPA) Bill, 2025. This landmark legislation establishes the GIPA as the primary body for regulating and promoting investments, creating a centralized 'one-stop shop' for facilitation and grievance resolution. By aligning Ghana’s framework with African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) standards, the bill seeks to modernize the investment environment while protecting domestic economic interests. This move is part of a broader executive push to update obsolete regulations, which also includes a comprehensive review of the Rent Act. Minister Gilbert Kenneth Adjei confirmed that the new Rent Act, which aims to protect low-income tenants and stimulate private housing investment, is nearing Cabinet presentation for subsequent parliamentary approval.

In tandem with these economic reforms, the government is addressing deep-seated social issues through the proposed Anti-Witchcraft Bill. Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, announced in Parliament that the ministry is evaluating the bill, originally introduced by MP Francis-Xavier Sosu. The legislation is designed to criminalize witchcraft accusations, which frequently lead to violence and stigma against women, children, and the elderly. Minister Ibrahim emphasized the need for collaboration with the Ministry of Gender and traditional authorities to ensure the law gains grassroots legitimacy and provides robust support mechanisms for victims who have long been exposed to social exclusion.

Resource governance remains a critical priority, highlighted by the endorsement of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) by His Royal Majesty Awulae Kwasi Amakye III. The Paramount Chief of the Western Nzema Traditional Area expressed support for the initiative but cautioned against 'trading the future for present needs,' demanding strict oversight to prevent environmental degradation. The urgency of this oversight was demonstrated when the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources shut down an illegal mining operation in Jomoro District that was caught masquerading as a legitimate government project. National Coordinator Mawusi Ama Mawuenyafia reassured traditional leaders that rCOMSDEP is committed to transparent, documented agreements that prioritize community welfare over short-term gains.

Local authorities are also intensifying efforts to protect human rights within industrial sectors. In Adansi North, District Chief Executive Charles Kofi Ogbeh has called for a unified front against child and forced labor in mining and cocoa-growing communities. During the 2026 World Day Against Child Labour, Ogbeh announced the enforcement of by-laws targeting illegal activities like child mining and commercial motorbike riding. These social protections are being discussed alongside industrial proposals, such as KNUST Professor Ebenezer Kofi Howard’s call for a dedicated Ministry of Textiles and Apparel. Howard argues that such a ministry is essential to revitalize the local textile industry, which currently relies on imports for 70% of its materials, thereby boosting employment and industrialization.

These domestic developments occur as the West African sub-region sees a tightening of legal standards regarding the protection of minors. In a landmark case in Sierra Leone, four men have been brought to trial for the first time since the country banned child marriage two years ago, following the forced marriage of a 17-year-old girl. Together, these legislative and judicial actions across Ghana and its neighbors signal a growing momentum toward modernized governance, the rule of law, and the protection of vulnerable populations against traditional and economic exploitation. The successful implementation of these bills and programs will depend on the continued collaboration between state institutions, traditional leaders, and civil society.