Despite Ghana’s recent economic recovery, 56.4% of the population remains in poverty, with disparities widening across different parts of the country, according to the World Bank.
World Bank Division Director for Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, Robert R. Taliercio, said the strong economic growth recorded in recent years had yet to translate into improved living conditions for a significant proportion of Ghanaians.
Speaking at the launch of the World Bank’s Tenth Ghana Economic Update in Accra, Mr Taliercio said the figures underscored the need for a more inclusive growth strategy focused on creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities.
“56.4% of Ghanaians remain in poverty, and spatial disparities are widening,” he said.
He pointed to a disconnect between Ghana’s headline economic performance and the experiences of many households across the country.
“There is a disconnect between the headline growth that is yet to reach most of the population,” Mr Taliercio said.
Growth not translating into enough jobs
According to the World Bank official, the situation is particularly concerning given Ghana’s growing youth population and the increasing number of young people expected to enter the labour market over the coming decade.
Ghana’s economy grew by 6% in 2025 and accelerated to 6.4% in the first quarter of 2026, signalling a strong recovery in economic activity.
Mr Taliercio, however, cautioned that economic growth alone would not be sufficient to address Ghana’s development challenges if growth remained concentrated in sectors with limited capacity to absorb workers.
“Growth is led by sectors with limited employment absorption relative to its growing young population entering the labour market in the next decade,” he said.
He described the situation as a structural imbalance requiring urgent policy attention to ensure that economic expansion translates into broader improvements in livelihoods.
Call for inclusive growth
Mr Taliercio urged Ghana to prioritise policies that promote job creation, increase productivity and ensure that the benefits of economic growth are distributed more widely across households and regions.
He said making the country’s economic recovery more inclusive, job-intensive and resilient would be critical to sustaining the progress made in restoring macroeconomic stability.
The World Bank’s assessment highlights the challenge facing Ghana as it seeks to consolidate its economic recovery while addressing persistent poverty, regional disparities and limited employment opportunities for its growing working-age population.
