President Mahama signs five laws, restores BNI name and cuts mining levy
President John Dramani Mahama has assented to five bills passed by Parliament, covering national security, higher education, mining taxation, deposit protection and education regulation.
The signing ceremony, held at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, was attended by Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson, and Attorney General Dominic Ayine, among other senior officials.
One of the laws, the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 2026, abolishes the Office of the Minister of National Security and gives the President the authority to assign oversight of the country’s security agencies to any minister.
The Act also restores the name of the National Intelligence Bureau to its former designation, the Bureau of National Intelligence.
President Mahama said the change would address confusion between the agency and the National Investment Bank.
Another law, the University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences Act, 2026, provides for the establishment of a new public university.
Its main campus will be located at Bonsu in the Eastern Region, with additional campuses at Ohawu in the Oti Region and Acherensua in the Ahafo Region. The location of the Ohawu campus is yet to be independently confirmed.
Parliament also passed the Growth and Sustainability Levy (Amendment) Act, 2026, which reduces the levy on mining companies from three percent to one percent following the introduction of a sliding scale for royalties on mining operations.
The Ghana Deposit Protection (Amendment) Act, 2026, extends deposit protection to mobile money wallets and other digital platforms, expanding coverage beyond traditional banks and financial institutions.
In addition, the Education Regulatory Bodies (Amendment) Act, 2026, amends Act 1023 to allow private tertiary institutions greater flexibility in their operations and the option to apply for a charter.
Also present at the ceremony were the Clerk of Parliament, Mr Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, Secretary to the President, Dr Callistus Mahama, and Senior Presidential Advisor and Special Aide to the President, Ms Joyce Bawa Mogtari.
The Jubilee House announced the development on March 31, 2026.
