Ghana’s annual inflation inches up to 13.5% in December 2013

By bne IntelliNews January 16, 2014

Ghana’s CPI inflation quickened to 13.5% y/y in December from 13.2% the month before, Ghana Statistical Service data showed. The headline inflation remained above the central bank's target band of 2pps on either side of 9%.

The main trigger of inflation were prices of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (+35.0% y/y) and transport prices (+25.6% y/y).

The annual non-food inflation rate accelerated to 18.1% in December from 17.6% the previous month, whereas food inflation edged down to 7.2% from 7.3% in November.

In monthly terms, Ghana’s consumer prices rose 1.0% in December, quickening from a 0.8% m/m increase a month earlier.

On November 28, Ghana’s central bank maintained its policy rate at 16% despite rising inflation, saying that inflation risks are mainly structural and might not need to be addressed by a policy rate adjustment for the time being. The bank said that leaving rates on hold posed no significant risk to economic growth, which is forecast to reach 8% in 2014.

The headline inflation will most likely breach the 2013 target of 11.0%, but will track back to the target range of 9.5% plus or minus 2pps in 2014, according to the central bank. 

Related Articles

Ghana inks nuclear power agreement with China, advancing clean energy goals

Nuclear Power Ghana Limited and China National Nuclear Corporation Overseas Limited have sealed a deal, marking a milestone in Ghana's energy landscape, reports Asaase Radio.  The agreement ... more

South Africa needs surplus electricity from solar plants, says minister

South Africa’s Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has called for discussions to assess ways of making surplus electricity from existing renewable energy facilities available to the grid. ... ... more

Zimbabwe commits to annual independent audits of its gold reserves underpinning new ZiG currency

Zimbabwe's government will ensure its gold reserves which underpin its newly-introduced currency, would be independently audited once yearly, The Herald reports. The southern African nation ... more

Dismiss