Ghana’s economy recorded a 5.5% expansion in the third quarter of 2025, according to recent data released by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS). This growth indicates sustained economic activity across a variety of key sectors, although it represents a slowdown compared to the 7.0% growth observed in the same period of 2024. The moderation suggests that while the economy remains on a positive trajectory, some sectors faced challenges that affected overall momentum.
The growth was largely propelled by performance in the ICT, crops, trade, transport and storage, manufacturing, and education sectors. Together, these sectors accounted for about 86% of the total economic expansion, underscoring their critical roles in driving national output. This broad-based growth highlights the diversified nature of Ghana’s economy, where multiple industries contribute to overall progress rather than reliance on a single sector.
Industry growth in the quarter experienced a slight increase, rising by 0.8% compared to 0.4% during the same timeframe last year. However, this segment was held back by a significant contraction of approximately 18.2% in the oil and gas sector, which negatively impacted industrial growth overall. In contrast, manufacturing demonstrated robust development with a 3.9% increase, though this was lower than the 7.4% growth seen the previous year in the same quarter. Such dynamics show shifting strengths and weaknesses within the industrial components of the economy.
Services remained the dominant force behind Ghana’s economic growth during the quarter. The sector grew by 7.6%, making up 40% of the total economy and contributing the largest share—55.3%—to the quarter’s growth. This emphasizes the ongoing role of the services sector, which includes education, trade, transport, and ICT, as the backbone of Ghana’s economic performance. The resilience and expansion of services provide a steady foundation for the country’s GDP.
Government Statistician Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, during the briefing explaining these trends, stressed the significance of the services sector as a key pillar in Ghana’s economic landscape. The latest GDP report not only highlights Ghana’s diversified growth pattern but also points to areas requiring policy attention, such as the oil and gas sector’s contraction. Maintaining balanced growth across sectors will be essential for sustaining upward economic momentum in future quarters.
Source: Ohemaa Adusi-Poku