Food and Agriculture Minister, Bryan Acheampong, has demonstrated a lack of full appreciation for data provided by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS). In a recent interview on Joy News’ PM Express, the Minister questioned the accuracy of GSS food inflation data, stating, “I don’t know where Statistical Service collected their data from,” in reference to the reported rise in food inflation.
To support his stance, the Minister mentioned, “I am in every part of this country daily. I get data on farm gate prices of almost 22 commodities we are tracking. I get market prices of these items daily.” He added that plantain prices had dropped by 27%, tomatoes by 30%, onions by 11%, and cassava by 13%, arguing that, “If you go to the market, the prices of everything, except maize, are coming down,” referring to prices at the beginning of this year and now.
However, he later clarified acknowledging that the data from the GSS were reflecting year-on-year price changes, “Inflation figures for September compare prices from September this year to last year. But I am telling you, from January to date, the price of food is going down.”
What the Minister seemed to overlook is that each GSS report also includes month-on-month inflation data, which captures the most recent price changes. For instance, the September inflation data indicated a month-on-month increase of 4.2% in the food and non-alcoholic beverages category. Of 30 tracked items, six recorded price decreases, including tomatoes (-5.85%), yam (-2%), vegetable oil (-4.1%), and unripe plantain (-0.3%).
These month-on-month declines suggest that, while certain food prices have decreased from August to September, they remain significantly higher than they were in September 2023. Thus, although there has been a slight drop in some prices, the overall inflation picture remains concerning.
Many observers expect a Minister of Food and Agriculture to have a stronger grasp of inflation data. This incident may point to a lack of coordination between state institutions, where critical data generated by one body is not fully utilized by another. The GSS has consistently provided valuable data in recent years, often with insights aimed at guiding policymakers. The challenge lies in ensuring this information is properly understood and acted upon.
