For many Ghanaians, a day isn’t complete without a cold Club Beer, a bottle of ‘apio’ to sip slowly with friends, or a cigarette to wind down.
Others enjoy a small tot of whisky before fufu, or pair a drink with their favorite local dishes like banku and tilapia. Some drink to relax after a long day, others simply as part of social rituals.
In January 2026, this everyday indulgence saw a moderated price increase. According to the Ghana Statistical Service, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and related products recorded just 2.4 percent year-on-year inflation, the lowest in more than a year.
The category’s rise is far smaller than last year’s double-digit increases, which reached 27.2 percent in January 2025, offering a rare relief for households after months of sharply rising prices.
The moderation follows a year-long trend. After climbing to double-digit levels early in 2025, prices briefly rebounded mid-year before gradually increasing at a slower pace from September.
By January 2026, the cost of a bottle of Club Beer, a tot of Akpeteshie, or a pack of cigarettes continues to rise, but much more slowly than a year ago, a reprieve keenly felt by consumers across cities and towns.
The easing contrasts sharply with other non-food items, which remain expensive. Housing, utilities, and recreation continue to climb, and even insurance and restaurant services are rising faster than inflation.
Yet for consumers who count beer, apio, and cigarettes among their small pleasures, January’s figures bring tangible relief.
While businesses in the sector may face slower revenue growth compared with the past year, for households, the moderated increase in prices is a small but welcome reprieve in everyday spending.
