Accra: The price of fresh tomatoes rose sharply by 458.3% in August 2026 compared with the same period last year, making tomatoes the biggest contributor to Ghana's inflation during the month.
According to Ghana Web, a report from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) shows that tomatoes accounted for about 21.4% of the total contribution to inflation in August. Rent payments followed with 14.7%, while ginger contributed 12.2%. The sharp rise in tomato prices came as Ghana's overall inflation increased to 5.0% in August from 4.6% in July, marking the second consecutive month of increased inflation.
Other food items also recorded significant price increases. Ginger prices rose by 128.3%, shrimp by 67.1%, and mangoes by 57.7%. Fresh coconut prices increased by 38.0%, fresh green pepper by 30.5%, and cabbage by 29.8%. Despite these increases, overall food inflation fell slightly to 3.0% from 3.1% in July due to declining prices of other food items. Lime prices dropped by 33.7%, and maize prices fell by 31.3%. Prices of cocoyam leaves, sweet apples, fried fish, and pawpaw also fell by more than 20%.
Meanwhile, the cost of non-food items continued to put pressure on households. Non-food inflation rose to 6.8% in August, accounting for about 70.9% of total inflation. Transport inflation stood at 10.5%, while housing, water, and energy recorded inflation of about 10.2%. Services inflation increased to 8.6%, reflecting higher costs in areas such as rent, transport, education, and utilities.
At the regional level, the Central Region recorded the highest inflation rate at 11.1%, followed by the Ashanti Region at 8.7%. Greater Accra recorded 5.0%, aligning with the national inflation rate.