Ghana in Numbers

Ghana’s banking sector is sitting on a significant pool of liquidity. With total customer deposits reaching GHS 309.79 billion, the expectation would be that a substantial portion of these funds is being channeled into loans to support businesses and economic growth. But the data tells a more cautious story. A comparative analysis of customer deposits, loans, and lending efficiency across banks in Ghana (2025). Across the industry, banks have extended only GHS 90.24 billion i

A shift in how Ghana generates power tells a bigger story than most people realise. Ghana's Energy Mix from 2000 to 2024 In 2000, Ghana's electricity story was simple. Nine out of every ten units of electricity came from one source: water. The Akosombo Dam, built across the Volta River in the 1960s, was the backbone of the national grid, and hydropower accounted for 92% of all electricity generated in the country. By 2024, that figure had collapsed to 39%. According to the Gh

The telecommunications landscape in Ghana has seen a remarkable transformation over the last three decades. From the early days of bulky analogue handsets to the lightning-fast broadband speeds of today, specific mobile operators have played a crucial role in driving this evolution. This article explores the pioneers who led Ghana through the four distinct eras of mobile technology. Ghana's Mobile Tech Pioneers. The Journey from 1G to 4G The Analogue Era (1G): Setting the Fou

In early April 2026, Ghanaian creators on X (formerly Twitter) began reporting a frustrating trend: their last two payout cycles had failed to reflect in their accounts. Below, we break down what we know so far and the explanations circulating about why these payments are being stalled. Disclaimer: This article is based on current user reports and screenshots circulating on X (formerly Twitter) as of April 17, 2026. At the time of writing, no official statements or formal co

Are sachet water producers in Ghana cheating? A Question Made Urgent by Today's Price Hike. On April 2, 2026, the National Association of Sachet and Packaged Water Producers (NASPAWAP) announced yet another increase in the price of sachet water, effective April 6. The stated reason: a global shortage of polymers and rising production costs linked to the ongoing conflict in Iran. For millions of Ghanaians who depend on pure water as their primary drinking source, it is unwelco

The Numbers That Tell the Story Ghana has just recorded its 15th consecutive month of falling inflation. The headline rate dropped to 3.2% in March 2026, the lowest reading since the Ghana Statistical Service rebased the Consumer Price Index in 2021, down from 23.8% as recently as December 2024. That is a fall of 20.6 percentage points in just 15 months. For context, it took Ghana nearly three years to build up to that peak from single-digit levels after the 2020 pandemic sh

Introduction Ghana’s inflation trajectory over the past two decades tells a powerful story of economic volatility, policy intervention, and recovery. From double-digit pressures in the early 2000s to a historic spike above 50% in 2022, inflation has shaped household welfare, business decisions, and macroeconomic stability. A heat map of Ghana's inflation from 2004 to 2026 The Early Years: Gradual Stabilization (2004–2011) In 2004, inflation hovered near 29%, reflecting struc

Introduction Ghana’s capital market is expected to operate on principles of fairness, transparency, and efficiency. At the center of this mandate is the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), specifically its Exchanges and Markets Department, which is responsible for monitoring trading activities and ensuring market integrity. But a key revelation from the SEC’s 2024 Annual Report raises an important question: How effectively can a modern capital market be supervised witho

Introduction Every year, the Ghanaian government collects billions of cedis in taxes and other revenues to fund public services, infrastructure, and social programs. But how exactly is that money generated and where does it go? Using data from Ghana’s 2025 fiscal framework, this analysis breaks down government revenue sources, spending priorities, and the resulting budget deficit. Understanding this fiscal structure provides important insight into the country’s economic chall

New data from the Forestry Commission of Ghana indicates that illegal mining (galamsey) within protected forest reserves is expanding at a rate that suggests a shift in operational scale. The figures track a three-year window where containment efforts have been significantly outpaced by land degradation. Galamsey in Ghana's forest reserves Growth Velocity In 2021, the recorded footprint of galamsey in forest reserves stood at 5,252 hectares . By 2024, the Commission reported

The story of Ghana’s cocoa industry is one of dramatic peaks, devastating troughs, and a relentless pursuit of efficiency. Once the undisputed global leader, Ghana has undergone several waves of cocoa reforms designed to reclaim its market share and modernise an industry that remains the backbone of its economy. History of Reform and Restructuring in Ghana's Cocoa Industry The Rise, Fall, and Road to Recovery In the mid-1960s, Ghana was the world’s cocoa powerhouse, producing

Introduction In the wake of the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS), a striking narrative has emerged regarding the nation’s public health landscape. While Ghana has made strides in healthcare access, the data reveals a persistent "Gender Gap" in sexual risk behaviors. Understanding these numbers is not just about statistics; it’s about shaping future policy and education. Understanding the Gender Divide in Ghana’s Sexual Health The Multiple Partner Disparity Ac

Speaking at the Ghana–Zambia Business Dialogue in Lusaka, President John Dramani Mahama announced that Ghana is firmly on track to conclude its current International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme by April 2026. The President highlighted a resurgence in investor confidence and significant improvements in key macroeconomic indicators as proof that the nation’s recovery is taking hold. But as the country prepares to close the chapter on this $3 billion Extended Credit Facility,

It sounds like a paradox: Global cocoa prices hit record highs in 2024, peaking at over $12,000 per ton. Yet, instead of celebrating a windfall, Ghana’s COCOBOD (Cocoa Board) is grappling with a historic financial crisis, nursing a debt of over 30 billion cedis. How does a country lose money when its primary export is selling at its highest price in history? In a revealing interview, Dr. Ransford Abbey, the new CEO of COCOBOD, exposed the intricate "double whammy" of debt, op

African football has produced some of the most iconic moments in FIFA World Cup history. While African teams have often battled structural and tactical disadvantages, individual brilliance has repeatedly placed the continent on football’s biggest stage. Africa’s Greatest World Cup Goalscorers: Legends Who Defined the Global Stage Africa’s World Cup Goal King At the top stands Asamoah Gyan of Ghana , Africa’s all-time leading World Cup scorer with six goals across three tourna

We hit a major milestone in September 2025 with the first single-digit inflation since 2021 (9.4%), followed by a dip to 5.4% in December. Now, as of January 2026, it’s hit a remarkable 3.8%. But shopping at Makola or Kejetia market has you wondering: “If the numbers are dropping, why are my expenses still so high? The answer lies in a simple but often misunderstood economic truth: A falling inflation rate is not the same as falling prices. Why inflation does not result in fa

We hit a major milestone in September 2025 with the first single-digit inflation since 2021 (9.4%), followed by a dip to 5.4% in December. Now, as of January 2026, it’s hit a remarkable 3.8%. But shopping at Makola or Kejetia market has you wondering: “If the numbers are dropping, why are my expenses still so high? The answer lies in a simple but often misunderstood economic truth: A falling inflation rate is not the same as falling prices. Why inflation does not result in fa

A major identity shift is looming over Ghana's premier gateway. On Tuesday, February 3, 2026 , the majority in parliament announced a proposed bill to strip the name of Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka from the country's main international airport and revert it to its original title: Accra International Airport . The announcement, made by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga ahead of Parliament’s sitting, has ignited a fierce national debate about history, branding, and re

Have you ever looked at a receipt and realized the numbers didn't add up? Now, imagine that receipt is for an entire country's economy, and the missing amount is $54.1 billion . According to the new "Trade-Related Illicit Financial Flows in Africa, 2013–2022" report released by Global Financial Integrity in January 2026, this is the reality for Ghana. The report highlights how "trade misinvoicing": misreporting the value of imports and exports is draining billions from the

The January 2026 New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Primaries have concluded with a clear mandate for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. While Bawumia’s 56.48% win secures his spot as the party’s leader, a secondary yet important story is the intense regional "turf war" between Ken Ohene Agyapong and Bryan Acheampong.