Ghana's GDP growth reached 6.0% in the second quarter of 2026, with services and information and communication technology providing much of the momentum.
The economy expanded even when petroleum production was removed from the calculation. Non-oil GDP grew by 5.4%, suggesting that the quarter’s performance was not simply carried by crude oil and gas.
Government Statistician Dr Alhassan Iddrisu said the figures showed growth was coming from the broader economy, although the real test would be whether it improved everyday life.
“Six percent growth becomes meaningful only when it translates into jobs, higher incomes and better services,” he said.
Services lead sector growth
Services recorded the strongest sectoral performance, expanding by 8.0% during the quarter. The sector accounted for 45.9% of total GDP and contributed 57.6% of the overall economic growth recorded.
Agriculture grew by 3.9%, while industry expanded by 4.3%.
The standout performance came from information and communication technology. The subsector grew by 30.9% and contributed 41.5% of Ghana’s total GDP growth.
Put plainly, more than four out of every 10 cedis of additional output during the quarter came from ICT alone. That concentration also raises a question about how widely the benefits are spreading across businesses and households.
First half growth remains strong
Across the first six months of 2026, real GDP grew by 6.2%. That was slightly below the 6.4% expansion recorded during the same period in 2025.
Price pressures within the economy eased sharply. The GDP deflator dropped from 21.2% in the first half of 2025 to 4.8% in 2026.
Dr Iddrisu said the data should guide government and businesses towards expanding productive sectors while fixing areas losing momentum.
The numbers are encouraging. Turning them into decent jobs and stronger household incomes is the harder work.
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