The Upper West Region recorded the highest rate of price increases in February 2025 among Ghana’s 16 regions, further compounding the challenges of an area already ranked among the four poorest in the country. Inflation in the region soared to 35.5%, significantly above the national average of 23.1%. Non-food inflation stood at 24% compared to the national average of 18.8%, while food inflation surged to a staggering 49.8%, nearly double the national figure of 28.1%.
Data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) sheds light on the specific items driving the sharp rise in prices. Fish and other seafood experienced the steepest inflation under the food category, with prices soaring by 73.9%, followed by oils and fats, which rose by 70.7%. Surprisingly, live animals, meat, and other slaughtered parts of animals also recorded high inflation at 55.6%. Fruits and nuts, as well as vegetables and tubers, saw inflation rates of 54.8% and 48.8%, respectively.
In contrast, water and soft drinks had relatively low inflation rates of 5.2% and 4.8%. Milk, other dairy products, and eggs experienced a moderate inflation rate of 18.1%.
Non-food items in the region were also subject to significant inflationary pressure. Housing, electricity, water, gas, and other fuels saw an extraordinary inflation rate of 119.7%, while education costs increased by 60.6%. The high inflation in critical areas such as education, housing, and utilities is likely to have severe consequences for the quality of life in the region, exacerbating an already difficult situation for residents.
The steep rise in food prices poses a serious threat to the nutritional well-being of the region’s inhabitants, especially in a region already burdened by high levels of poverty. A World Bank report from August 2024 highlighted how a dry spell in the Upper West Region raised fears of food insecurity and deepening poverty. With 70% of households in the region classified as poor, the capacity of the population to withstand such economic shocks remains limited.
Given the government’s ambition to make agriculture a major growth driver, the implementation of extensive irrigation systems in the Upper West Region could help increase food production not only for the region but for the entire country. By boosting agricultural output, inflation in the region could potentially be brought down, leading to improved living conditions and reduced poverty levels.
For a region already grappling with high poverty rates and food insecurity, the sharp inflationary spikes witnessed in February signal the need for urgent intervention. Addressing the root causes of inflation, such as food production constraints and infrastructure challenges, is essential for alleviating the economic burden on the people of Upper West and ensuring a sustainable path to development.
