Regional disparities in inflation remain stark across Ghana, with the Upper West Region recording the highest year-on-year inflation rate of 24.8% in July 2025, more than double the national average of 12.1%, according to the latest data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
Though a decline from June’s peak of 32.3%, the Upper West’s inflation continues to outpace all other regions, underscoring persistent cost-of-living challenges in Ghana’s northern corridor.
At the other end, the Central Region recorded the lowest inflation rate at 7.7%, offering residents relatively stable prices compared to other parts of the country.
Northern Regions Continue to Feel the Pinch
Alongside Upper West, other northern regions like the Savannah, North East, and Northern regions also posted elevated inflation levels, driven largely by rising food prices and transportation costs.
In many of these regions, food inflation alone accounts for a significant share of the overall price surge, reflecting issues related to food distribution, storage, and weather-related disruptions.
“Regional inflation disparities show a pattern of northern regions experiencing much higher inflation, especially in food-dominant categories,” said Government Statistician Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu during the press briefing.
Regional Food and Non-Food Inflation
The report reveals that in high-inflation regions like Upper West, food inflation far exceeds non-food inflation, indicating that basic sustenance is becoming more expensive for already vulnerable populations.
In contrast, southern regions like Central and Greater Accra saw more moderate price movements across both food and non-food categories.
In terms of month-on-month changes, Ahafo Region recorded the highest price increases at 1.5%, while Bono East registered a deflation of -0.9%, suggesting a drop in general prices between June and July in that region.
Policy Recommendations for Equitable Relief
The GSS has recommended tailored government interventions to mitigate these regional inflation disparities. These include targeted expansions of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme, improved National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) outreach, and enhanced school feeding programmes in high-inflation areas like Upper West.
“These regional differences in inflation must be considered in future economic policy design,” said Dr. Iddrisu. “The north requires targeted support not just to stabilise prices but to protect livelihoods.”
Regional Outlook Calls for Long-Term Solutions
The persistent high inflation in the northern belt of Ghana reflects broader structural issues such as transportation bottlenecks, low investment in storage infrastructure, and seasonal food insecurity.
Economists argue that addressing these root causes will be essential for ensuring equitable price stability nationwide.
Until then, regional inflation will likely remain a key indicator of inequality in Ghana’s economic recovery efforts, even as national inflation trends point to broader stability.
