Parliament has approved the Security and Intelligence Agencies Bill, 2025, during its sitting on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
The bill, which seeks to repeal the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 2020 (Act 1030), is designed to modernise Ghana’s national security and intelligence architecture and align it with current government policy.
Among its key provisions are clearer definitions of the mandates of intelligence agencies, the establishment of Regional and District Security Councils under the National Security Council, and the placement of national security coordination directly under the Presidency.
The legislation also removes the position of a standalone Minister for National Security, granting the President the authority to designate an existing Minister—such as the Interior Minister—to supervise the National Security Coordinator.
Presenting the bill earlier, Interior Minister Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka stated that the reforms are intended to streamline operations, improve coordination across agencies, and ensure that security measures are balanced with constitutional protections and human rights safeguards.
However, the bill faced opposition from the Minority Caucus, who argued that it concentrates excessive power within the executive, lacks adequate independent oversight, and does not provide sufficient safeguards against potential abuse.
Despite concerns raised during its second reading in February, Parliament passed the bill on Wednesday following amendments and a third reading.
The bill now awaits presidential assent to be enacted into law.
By Christian Yalley
