Fresh tomato and ginger combined contributed 30% to Ghana’s 5.2% inflation rate in September 2026, showing the uneven price pressures facing consumers despite the sharp decline in inflation over the past year.
According to data from the Ghana Statistical Service, fresh tomatoes alone accounted for 20.3% of the September inflation rate, followed by rent payments at 13.9% and ginger at 9.9%.
Cooked rice also contributed 7%, while bus and trotro fares and yam each contributed 5.4%.
While making a presentation on the national inflation figures, the Government Statistician, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu said the headline rates highlighted significant differences in price movements across individual items.
“We are talking about one national rate of 5.2% at the end of September 2026, which contains very different experiences in the market.”
Fresh tomatoes contributed the highest inflation rate among the items tracked in September, with prices rising by 153.4% compared with September 2025.
Dr. Alhassan explained that tomatoes cost roughly two and a half times what they did a year earlier.
Ginger followed with inflation of 100.4%, meaning its price approximately doubled over the same period.
Other items recording some of the highest inflation rates were shrimps at 62.8% and mangoes at 46.6%.
The figures have raised concerns about the impact of fresh food supply on overall inflation, with tomatoes and ginger alone accounting for about 30% of the national inflation rate.
“Also, pay attention to fresh food supply, since tomatoes and ginger alone contributes about 30% of inflation.”
Other food items were cheaper
While some food items recorded sharp price increases, others became significantly cheaper compared with a year ago.
Lime recorded the largest price decline, falling by 29.9%, followed by maize at 26.4%, foreign apples at 24.1%, bambara beans at 21.7% and carrots at 21.5%.
The contrasting movements underscore the wide differences in price experiences across Ghana’s markets.
The presentation further showed that Ghana’s inflation is largely being driven by domestically produced items.
Local items accounted for about 86% of inflation in September, while imported items contributed the remaining share.
“Inflation is homegrown, with local items driving about 86% of inflation in September 2026.”
The Government Statistician said the trend should guide policy responses, particularly around food supply and domestic costs.
He said the figures should therefore be used by policymakers, businesses and households to better understand where cost-of-living pressures are strongest.
For government, the Ghana Statistical Service recommended using the official Consumer Price Index to guide budgets, subsidies and targeted support.
Businesses were also advised to use official inflation data when fixing prices and negotiating contracts rather than heeding to market rumours.
Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu said the moderation in food inflation, which fell to 4% in September from 11% a year earlier, provides some room for planning and saving among households.
