Parliament has ended the Second Meeting of the First Session of the Ninth Parliament after passing 12 key bills covering taxation, investment, maritime security, defence, justice, local governance, cocoa sector reforms and energy financing.
The bills form part of government’s efforts to strengthen public institutions, improve revenue collection and reform key sectors of the economy.
Below are the 12 bills passed by Parliament.
1. Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025
Passed: May 29, 2026
The bill seeks to promote what it describes as Ghanaian family values by banning activities related to LGBTQ+ advocacy, promotion and related practices. It also sets penalties for offences under the law.
2. Ghana Investment Promotion Authority Bill, 2025
Passed: June 25, 2026
The bill establishes the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority to improve the investment climate, strengthen investment regulation and attract both local and foreign investors.
3. Maritime and Related Offences Bill, 2026
Passed: June 30, 2026
The bill strengthens Ghana’s laws against piracy, armed robbery at sea, illegal fishing, trafficking and other maritime crimes.
4. Community Service Bill, 2026
Passed: July 8, 2026
The bill introduces community service as an alternative punishment for some minor offences to help reduce overcrowding in prisons and support rehabilitation.
5. National Defence University, Ghana Bill, 2026
Passed: July 17, 2026
The bill establishes the National Defence University of Ghana to provide advanced education, research and professional training for the Ghana Armed Forces and other security agencies.
6. Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026
Passed: July 29, 2026
The amendment updates Ghana’s VAT system to improve tax administration, increase compliance and support the government’s 2026 tax reforms.
7. Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026
Passed: July 29, 2026
The bill updates parts of the Income Tax Act to improve tax administration and provide clearer tax rules for individuals and businesses.
8. Tribunals Bill, 2026
Passed: July 30, 2026
The bill provides a new legal framework for the establishment and operation of tribunals to improve access to justice and the handling of disputes.
9. Customs Bill, 2026
Passed: July 30, 2026
The bill modernises customs laws to improve border management, support trade, increase revenue collection and fight smuggling.
10. Excise Bill, 2026
Passed: July 30, 2026
The bill updates the legal framework for excise duties on selected locally produced and imported goods to improve tax collection.
11. Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026
Passed: July 31, 2026
The bill reforms the legal framework of COCOBOD to strengthen governance, improve operations, enhance financial management and support the cocoa sector.
12. Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Bill, 2026
Passed: July 31, 2026
The amendment increases levies on fuel oil and extends the Road Fund Levy to fuel oil. According to the government, the changes are aimed at improving revenue collection, reducing abuse in the fuel subsidy system and strengthening financing for the energy sector while maintaining tax refunds for eligible industrial users.
The passage of the 12 bills highlights Parliament’s efforts to reform key sectors, including taxation, investment, national security, justice, education, energy and agriculture.
