Prof Samuel Kobina Annim
The rate of inflation for the month of April 2024 has slowed by 0.8 recording 25.0%, the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has indicated.
The figure implies a decline from the March 2024 recorded figure of 25.8%.
According to the GSS, food inflation contributed to the overall drop in inflation as it recorded 26.8%, the lowest since 13 months.
Non-food inflation, however, shot up to 23.5% in April 2024, from 22.6% in March 2024.
Inflation for locally produced items and imported items fell to 25.7% and 23.5% respectively.
Addressing journalists in Accra, Government Statistician Prof Samuel Kobina Annim said “We saw a contrasting between food and non-food while we saw a decrease in non-food inflation from 29.6 percent to 26.8 percent in April 2024 a reverse was the case for non-food inflation as it increased to 23.5 percent from 22.6 percent in March 2024”.
Seven divisions recorded inflation rates higher than the national average. They are Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco and Narcotics (39.3%); Restaurants and Accommodation Services (33.9%); Personal Care, Social Protection and Miscellaneous Goods and Services (31.9%); Health (31.2%); Recreation, Sports and Culture and (28.7%).
Also, 10 out of 15 sub-class registered inflation higher than overall food inflation.
For food inflation, 10 out of 15 sub-class registered inflation above the overall food inflation of 26.8%.
They included Cocoa Drinks (63.4%); Tea and Related Products (59.3%); Vegetables, Tubers, Plantain, Cooking, Banana and Pulses (39.5%) and Coffee and Coffee Substitutes (35.5%).
From the regional perspective, the Upper East region recorded the highest rate of inflation of 42.5%, while Oti region recorded the lowest of 16.8% with Western North region.
A Business Desk Report