The consumer inflation for May, 2018 has shown a slight upsurge by a 0.2 percentage point to reach 9.8 percent from 9.6 percent recorded in April, 2018; data from Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) have shown.
This represents the second lowest since January 2013, after the first lowest rate recorded in April, 2018.
The consumer price index (CPI) measure the change over time in the general price level of goods and that household acquire for the purpose of consumption.
At a press briefing, the Acting Government Statistician, Baah Wadieh explained that slight increase were influenced by the rise in both food and non-food inflation rates.
The food and non-alcoholic beverages group recorded a rate of 7.6 percent, representing a 0.2 percentage point higher than the rate recorded in April, 2018.
Seven subgroups of the food and non-alcoholic beverages group recorded inflation rates higher than the group’s average rate of 7.6 percent.
Coffee, tea and cocoa recorded the highest inflation rate of 10.8 percent followed by fruits with 9.9 percent, food products with 9.3, mineral water and soft drinks with 9.3 percent, meat and meat products with 9.1 percent, vegetables with 8.1 percent and oils and fats recorded 8.0 percent.
The non-food group recorded an inflation rate of 10.9 percent in May, 2018, compared to the 10.6 percent recorded for April, 2018.
Four subgroups recorded rates higher that the group average of 10.9 percent.
Clothing and footwear recorded the highest inflation rate of 17.2 percent, followed by recreation and culture with 14.2 percent, furnishings, household equipment and routine maintenance with 14.0 percent and miscellaneous goods and services with 12.8 percent.
The housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels subgroup recorded the lowest inflation of 3.9 percent.
At the regional level, the Upper West region has persistently recorded the highest rate from end of last year, as it records 12.0 percent in May, 2018.
Five regions, upper west, Brong Ahafo, Northern, Western and Ashanti, recorded rate higher above the national average rate of 9.8 percent.
By Joshua W. Amlanu
