Ghana’s inflation rate rose again in August 2026, signalling renewed pressure on the country’s recent progress in bringing prices under control.

According to the Ghana Statistical Service, year-on-year inflation increased to 5.0% in August, up from 4.6% in July. The 0.4 percentage-point increase marks the second consecutive monthly rise, although inflation remains below the 5.5% recorded in August 2025.

The latest data show that domestic costs are becoming the main source of inflationary pressure.

Inflation for locally produced items increased to 6.1%, from 5.9% in July, while imported inflation remained much lower at 2.2%. Locally produced goods and services accounted for 86.2% of total inflation.

Non-food inflation also edged higher to 6.8%, from 6.7%, contributing 70.9% of total inflation, compared with 29.1% for food.

Services Are Rising Faster Than Goods

Services inflation increased to 8.6%, while goods inflation rose to 3.8%, meaning service prices are increasing at more than twice the pace of goods.

Housing, water and energy recorded inflation of about 10.2%, while transport inflation stood at 10.5%. Clothing and footwear inflation was about 8.0%, with education services at 6.6%.

Food inflation, however, eased slightly to 3.0% in August, from 3.1% in July.

Despite the decline, some food items recorded sharp price increases. Fresh tomatoes jumped 458.3% year-on-year, contributing about 21.4% of total inflation. Ginger prices rose 128.3%, while rents contributed 14.7%.

Other notable increases included parking space and related services at 40.0%, fresh coconut at 38.0%, charcoal at 35.6%, and fresh green pepper at 30.5%.

Central Region Records Highest Inflation

Inflation also varied significantly across regions.

The Central Region recorded the highest rate at 11.1%, followed by Ashanti at 8.7%. Greater Accra recorded 5.0%, matching the national average, while Bono East had the lowest inflation rate at 3.3%.

Interestingly, the general price level declined by 1.0% between July and August, even though year-on-year inflation increased.

The latest figures suggest Ghana’s inflation challenge is increasingly being driven by domestic pressures, particularly housing, transport and services. That could make it harder to sustain the country’s recent disinflation gains if these costs continue to rise.