Accra: Six of Ghana's poorest districts are all located in the North East Region, according to the latest district-level poverty estimates from the Ghana Statistical Service.
According to Ghana Web, the report, published by adomonline.com on May 18, 2026, reveals that Nassuam District ranks lowest nationally, with 51.6 percent of its population living in poverty in 2025. This district is followed by four other districts in the North East Region, marking it as the most deprived region in the country.
In contrast, Ayawaso North Municipal in Greater Accra recorded a poverty rate of just 5.5 percent. This stark disparity underscores the significant gap between the northern and southern parts of the country. The report emphasizes that a child born in Nassuam faces a vastly different life compared to one born in Ayawaso North.
The Ghana Statistical Service described this study as the most comprehensive district-level poverty analysis ever conducted in Ghana. The estimates were generated using small area estimation methods, incorporating data from the 2021 Population and Housing Census, household income and expenditure surveys from 2022 to 2024, and the 2025 Labour Force Survey. Deprivation was assessed across 13 wellbeing indicators.
Despite these challenging findings, the report highlights nationwide progress. Between 2021 and 2025, 250 of Ghana's 261 districts experienced reductions in multidimensional poverty, with notable declines in parts of the Upper West and Ashanti regions.
Nonetheless, the Ghana Statistical Service notes that progress has been inconsistent. Poverty remains deeply entrenched across the North East, Northern, Savannah, Oti, Upper East, Upper West, and Bono East regions, forming a belt of deprivation that has withstood various development efforts over the years.
The Service is advocating for urgent and targeted measures, including stricter oversight of development spending, sustained policy interventions, and intentional social investment to ensure equitable growth across all districts.