Government Statistician Dr Alhassan Iddrisu has warned that a recent surge in food prices could threaten Ghana’s improving inflation outlook, despite significant progress in stabilising the broader economy.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express Business Edition on Thursday, Dr Iddrisu described the country’s recent inflation performance as a notable achievement but cautioned that emerging pressures in the food sector require close monitoring.
“By all standards, this is a remarkable turnaround, and every Ghanaian should know this,” he said.
Despite the encouraging overall inflation figures, Dr Iddrisu noted that food inflation moved upward in May 2026. According to him, food inflation increased to 3.3 percent year-on-year in May, compared with 2.2 percent recorded in April.
“But having said that, here’s the thing. Within that good general story, we saw food prices actually rise in May. Food inflation rose to 3.3% year on year, up from 2.2% in April,” he stated.
He further disclosed that food prices rose by 2 percent between April and May 2026 alone, describing the increase as one of the fastest monthly food price movements observed in recent times.
“In just one month, between April and May 2026, we saw food prices jump 2%, and that’s one of the fastest increases we have seen in a single month. The Ghana Statistical Service is watching that very closely,” he said.
Dr Iddrisu identified tomatoes as a major contributor to the recent food inflation spike. He revealed that tomato prices increased by 35.8 percent between May 2025 and May 2026 and experienced an even sharper rise within a single month.
“Tomato prices actually shot up 35.8% over the year, between May 2025 and May 2026. In fact, between April and May 2026 alone, prices jumped 38.8%, so that’s a real supply shock,” he explained.
He attributed the surge to disruptions in tomato imports from Burkina Faso following attacks on Ghanaian traders and the export restrictions that followed earlier this year.
“As we all know, earlier this year, Ghanaian traders were attacked in Burkina Faso, and an export ban followed that disrupted tomato supply into our market. Even after the ban was reversed on April 2, the damage had already been done and prices had already spiked,” he noted.
Beyond food inflation, Dr Iddrisu highlighted charcoal as a major source of inflationary pressure. He disclosed that charcoal prices rose by 50.1 percent over the past year, making it the single largest contributor to Ghana’s overall inflation rate.
“Charcoal prices rose by 50.1% over the year, between May 2025 and May 2026, and charcoal is actually the single largest contributor to our national inflation,” he said.
According to him, charcoal alone accounted for approximately 13.1 percent of Ghana’s total inflation figure in May 2026.
“Many Ghanaian homes still cook with charcoal, and when that cost goes up, everyone feels it,” he added.
The Government Statistician’s remarks underscore concerns that while Ghana’s overall inflation trajectory is improving, rising food and household energy costs continue to place significant strain on consumers and could pose risks to sustaining recent economic gains.
