Ghana’s economic output increased by 6.8 per cent in August 2026, representing a substantial improvement over the 5.3 per cent growth recorded during the corresponding period in 2025, with the services industry emerging as the principal engine of expansion.
Figures contained in the Ghana Statistical Service’s (GSS) August 2026 Monthly Indicator of Economic Growth (MIEG) report reveal that services maintained their position as the largest contributor to national economic growth, accounting for 69.9 per cent of the overall expansion recorded during the month.
The sector registered an impressive growth rate of 10.7 per cent, compared with 7.1 per cent in August 2025, with information and communication services emerging as the leading drivers of its performance.
The industrial sector equally demonstrated considerable improvement, recording a growth rate of 4.5 per cent, compared with the comparatively modest 0.8 per cent achieved during the corresponding period a year earlier. This expansion was primarily underpinned by stronger manufacturing activity, alongside positive developments in mining and quarrying.
Agriculture, however, experienced a notable deceleration, with its growth rate declining to 2.6 per cent in August 2026, against 8.6 per cent during the same period in 2025 and 3.7 per cent in July 2026.
A breakdown of the contributions to national economic expansion indicates that services generated 4.8 percentage points of the overall 6.8 per cent growth, while industry accounted for another 1.4 percentage points. Agriculture contributed 0.5 percentage points, whereas net taxes on products represented the remaining 0.1 percentage point.
The Government Statistician, Alhassan Iddrisu, explained that the monthly economic indicator serves as an advance measure of the country’s economic performance before the publication of the quarterly Gross Domestic Product (GDP) statistics.
Additional findings from the MIEG report indicate that economic activity expanded by 7 per cent in July 2026. However, this figure was subsequently adjusted downward from the previously announced estimate of 7.4 per cent following the incorporation of additional statistical information.
With the August results included, Ghana’s average economic growth for July and August 2026 now stands at 6.9 per cent, offering an initial assessment of the country’s economic performance during the third quarter of the year.
The Ghana Statistical Service further indicated that its monthly economic indicator has demonstrated a consistent relationship with the quarterly GDP figures, noting that both measurements registered an expansion of 6 per cent during the second quarter of 2026.
Nevertheless, the statistical authority emphasised that the August figures remain provisional and could undergo further adjustments as additional information becomes available.
The next edition of the Monthly Indicator of Economic Growth, which will provide figures for September 2026, is scheduled for publication during the second week of December.
