Ghana’s economy recorded a growth rate of 6.4 per cent in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026, up slightly from 6.2 per cent during the same period last year, according to the latest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimates released by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
The figures show that growth remained broad-based, with the non-oil economy expanding by 6.3 per cent, underscoring the resilience of key sectors despite global economic uncertainties.
The Services sector emerged as the strongest contributor to economic growth, expanding by 7.1 per cent and accounting for 48.3 per cent of overall GDP growth. The sector’s performance was largely driven by robust expansion in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), which grew by 25.2 per cent, as well as Transport and Storage (13.0 per cent) and Trade (9.0 per cent).
The Industry sector also posted strong gains, accelerating to 6.9 per cent growth, compared with 4.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2025. Growth in the sector was led by Mining and Quarrying, which expanded by 10.7 per cent, alongside a recovery in the Oil and Gas sector, which recorded growth of 7.0 percent.
Meanwhile, the Agriculture sector grew by 4.0 percent, supported by strong performances in Forestry and Logging (9.0 percent) and Crop Production (4.7 per cent). However, growth in the sector was weighed down by a sharp contraction in the Fishing sub-sector, which declined by 18.5 per cent.
The GSS also reported that, on a seasonally adjusted basis, real GDP increased by 1.6 per cent quarter-on-quarter, signalling sustained economic momentum.
Monthly indicators further pointed to continued expansion across the quarter, with the Monthly Index of Economic Growth (MIEG) recording growth rates of 6.1 per cent in January, 7.7 per cent in February, and 5.4 percent in March.
Fastest Growing and Contracting Sub-Sectors
Among the fastest-growing sub-sectors in the economy were:
Information and Communication – 25.2%
Transport and Storage – 13.0%
Mining and Quarrying – 10.7%
Trade and Repair of Vehicles – 9.0%
Forestry and Logging – 9.0%
On the other hand, the weakest-performing sub-sectors were:
Fishing – -18.5%
Accommodation and Food Services – -13.6%
Water and Sewerage – -3.7%
Real Estate – -3.2%
Health and Social Work – 1.0%
The GSS identified Information and Communication, Mining and Quarrying, Trade, Crop Production, and Transport and Storage as the key drivers behind the economy’s first-quarter growth performance.
The latest figures suggest that Ghana’s economic recovery remains on track, supported by strong growth in services, mining, trade and transport activities, even as some sectors continue to face challenges.
Here are the details
file:///Users/masahudu/Downloads/2026%20Q1%20GDP%20and%20Mar%202026%20MIEG_web.pdf
file:///Users/masahudu/Downloads/MIEG_2026Q1_Newsletter.pdf
