Ghana’s economy grew by 4.7% in the first quarter of 2024, compared to the last quarter’s growth of 3.8 % recorded in 2023, the latest data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has shown.
Addressing the media on Tuesday (18 June) in Accra, government statistician Prof. Samuel Kobina Annim attributed the main drivers of the growth in the first quarter to mining and quarrying, which contributed 12.9 percent, information and communication 17.9 percent, crops 4.3 percent, construction 8.2 percent, and accommodation and food service activities 9.4 percent.
The industrial sector grew by an annual 6.8% in the period, after expanding by 1.6% in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Some sub-sectors, however, experienced contractions during this period. According to the government statistician, the agriculture sector was negatively impacted by adverse weather and the services industry by contractions in the health and social work, public administration, defence and social security sub-sectors.
The stronger growth data is a boom for the ruling New Patriotic Party, whose management of the economy has been under criticism by the opposition National Democratic Congress as the nation gears up for general elections slated for Dec. 7.
Speaking to NET2 TV NEWS, Lawyer Amoh Darteh shared his thoughts on the latest figures released by the GSS.
