President Mahama signs Tribunal Bill and nine other Bills into law

President John Mahama signed the Tribunal Bill and nine other bills into law on Wednesday. The Tribunal Bill aims to create a legal framework for operating tribunals in Ghana. Additionally, the president signed the Customs Bill, Community Service Bill, Maritime and Related Offences Bill, National Defence University Bill, Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Bill, Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, and Excise Bill.

In his address after the signing, Mahama explained that the Customs Act consolidates all previous Customs Acts into one document, making administration simpler and more efficient. The Community Service Act offers non-custodial sentences for minor offenses, reducing the burden on prisons. The Tribunal Act allows regional tribunals to handle specific offenses, while the Maritime and Related Offences Act implements UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The National Defence University Act establishes the university and accredits its courses. The Income Tax Amendment Act exempts low-income earners from paying income tax. The Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Bill addresses fuel oil taxation for factories and maritime vehicles. The Ghana Cocoa Board Act supports the cocoa sector by processing at least 50% of cocoa beans locally and guaranteeing farmers 70% of the global market price.

The Value Added Tax Amendments Bill adjusts foreign adjustments in VAT, exempting large-scale gold miners from paying taxes on 30% of their gold. The Excise Act consolidates previous excise laws and exempts local fruit juice manufacturers from excise tax.