Community Service Act: Non-custodial sentences will save taxpayer funds - Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has signed ten major legislative bills into law, aiming to reform Ghana's penal system, judicial administration, and modernize various sectors of the economy. The Community Service Act, 2026, introduces non-custodial sentences for minor offences, reducing prison congestion and saving taxpayer funds.

This act allows convicted individuals to serve their sentence through community service instead of incarceration. The Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026, ensures fair returns for cocoa farmers by promising to process at least 50% of cocoa beans locally and guaranteeing that farmers receive 70% of the global market price. The Income Tax Amendment Act, 2026, exempts workers earning the minimum wage and below from paying income tax, providing relief to low-income households.

Additionally, the Excise Act, 2026, consolidates excise duties, blocks revenue leakages, and grants tax exemptions to local manufacturers of certain products. Three financial and commercial laws have also been enacted: the Customs Act, 2026, which codifies all existing customs laws for efficiency; the Energy Sector Levies Amendment Act, 2026, which requires fuel oil exemptions to be paid upfront with verifiable proof for reimbursement; and the Value Added Tax (VAT) Amendment Act, 2026, which adjusts VAT administration to align with recent monetary policy.

The President's signing of these bills fulfills key government pledges and sets a streamlined legal foundation for sustainable national development.