Authorities statistician Dr Alhassan Idris has revealed that charcoal has turn into the one largest driver of inflation in Ghana, with costs hovering by greater than 50% up to now 12 months, placing new strain on family budgets.
Talking on JoyNews’ PM Categorical Enterprise Version on Thursday, Dr Idris stated this occurred regardless of what he described as a marked enchancment within the nation’s general inflation efficiency.
“By all requirements, it is a outstanding turnaround and all Ghanaians ought to acknowledge this,” he stated.
However he warned that behind the brilliant headline numbers, worrying indicators had been rising within the meals sector. He stated meals inflation rose to three.3% in Might 2026 from 2.2% in April.
“Meals inflation rose to three.3% year-on-year, up from 2.2% in April,” he stated.
He added that meals costs have skyrocketed in lower than a month and the Ghana Statistical Service is intently monitoring the development.
“In truth, in only one month from April to Might 2026, meals costs truly elevated by 2%, which, as you realize, is among the quickest in a single month by way of worth adjustments,” he stated.
Dr Idris cited tomatoes as one of many merchandise behind the rise. In line with him, tomato costs rose by 35.8% from Might 2025 to Might 2026, a fair better enhance in single-month costs.
“In truth, between April and Might 2026, in Might alone, tomato costs truly jumped by 38.8%. It is a actual provide shock,” he defined.
He linked the surge to provide disruptions from Burkina Faso following assaults on Ghanaian merchants and subsequent export restrictions.
“As you all know, earlier this 12 months there was an assault on a Ghanaian dealer in Burkina Faso, adopted by an export ban that reduce off the provision of tomatoes to our market.Even after the ban was lifted on April 2, the injury has already been completed and, as you realize, costs have already skyrocketed,” he stated.
Nonetheless, authorities statisticians stated the largest concern remained cooking gas. He disclosed that charcoal has the most important share in Ghana’s inflation basket.
“Charcoal costs elevated by 50.1% from Might 2025 to Might 2026, or year-on-year. In truth, charcoal is the most important contributor to inflation in our nation,” he stated.
He stated charcoal alone accounted for about 13.1% of Ghana’s whole inflation in Might.
“And as we all know, many households in Ghana nonetheless use charcoal to cook dinner, and when its value goes up, everybody feels it,” Dr. Idris added.
His feedback spotlight the widening hole between bettering nationwide inflation indicators and the day-to-day realities confronted by households, lots of whom proceed to battle with rising meals and vitality prices regardless of broader financial advantages.
