In January 2019, the year-on year inflation rate was 9.0%, as compared to a 9.4% rate recorded in December 2018.
The monthly change rate in January 2019 was 1.0% compared to 1.1% recorded in December 2018, this was announced by the acting government statistician, Mr. David Kombat, in a press conference today.
He explained that the year-on-year non-food inflation rate for January 2019 was 9.5% as compared with the rate of 9.8% recorded in December 2018.
The acting statistician added that the year-on year rate for January 2019 was 8.0%, compared with 8.7% recorded in December 2018, while the year-on year non-food inflation rate (9.5%) is 1.5% points higher than the food inflation rate (8.0%).
In January 2019, the year-on year inflation rate for imported items (10.8%) was 2.5% points higher than that of locally produced items (8.3%).
The main price drivers for the non-food inflation rate were transport (13.4%), clothing and footwear (12.8%), recreation and culture (12.7%), furnishing, household equipment and routine maintenance (11.25) and miscellaneous goods and services, while the prices for food inflation rate were coffee, tea and cocoa (12.4%), fruits (10.0%), meat and meat products (9.8%) and mineral water, soft drinks, fruit and vegetable juices (9.3%).
Four regions (upper west, Brong Ahafo, Western and Ashanti) recorded inflation rates above the national average of 9.0%.
Upper west region recorded the highest year-on year inflation rate of 10.8%, followed by Brong Ahafo region (9.9%) while the upper East region recorded the lowest year-on year inflation rate (7.7%) in January 2019.
The January 2019 rate of 9.0% is the lowest since January 2013.
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Hannah Obeng