Ghanaian households felt a sharper pinch in August, as everyday staples that form the backbone of local diets saw prices climb far beyond most other foods. Chicken eggs jumped 57% year-on-year, while vegetable oil rose 56.3%, a combination many Ghanaians rely on daily for fried-egg breakfasts. Ginger, a key ingredient in local cooking and beverages, surged 104.4%, making even simple meals noticeably more expensive.
By comparison, most other food items among the top 20 contributors to inflation moved around 20% or less. Smoked herrings (23.6%), beef (23.8%), river fish (19.7%), and bread (11.6%) rose moderately, highlighting just how extraordinary the increases in eggs, oil, and ginger were. Even yam, a long-standing staple, actually declined to 23.8% from 33.3%, showing mixed movements across the food basket.
These price surges matter because eggs and oil are essential to Ghanaian kitchens. Breakfasts of fried eggs and bread, a daily ritual for millions, are directly affected, while ginger flavors soups, sauces, and beverages, making it nearly impossible for households to substitute.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for August 2025 reached 255.7, translating to a year-on-year inflation rate of 11.5%. Other contributors, such as kenkey with fried fish (19.8%) and onions (25.2%), added to the wider food inflation picture, but none reached the extraordinary rises of the three standout items.
For many Ghanaians, the price spike is most visible in kitchens and markets, where once-routine meals now cost significantly more.
