Economy shows resilience with 4.2% GDP growth rate in first quarter of 2023

Ghana’s economy displayed robust growth in the first quarter of 2023, expanding by 4.2% compared to the previous quarter’s 3.2% growth rate. This represents the fastest pace of economic expansion for the country since the second quarter of 2022, highlighting its resilience in the face of challenges. The latest data, released by the Ghana Statistical Service, also marks the 10th consecutive quarter of positive economic growth for the nation.

Notable Developments in Key Sectors:

Various sectors of the economy played crucial roles in driving the overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth during the first quarter of 2023. Key sub-sectors, including Public Administration, Defense & Social Security, Health, Education, and Information and Communication, emerged as significant contributors to the positive performance of the economy.

Growth Drivers:

The Public Administration, Defense & Social Security, Health, Education, and Information and Communication sectors were the primary drivers of GDP growth in Q1 2023. These sectors demonstrated remarkable progress, making substantial positive impacts on the economy as a whole. The combined efforts of these sectors resulted in a notable upswing in the GDP figures for the quarter.

Expanding Sub-sectors:

Several sub-sectors within the aforementioned growth-driving sectors stood out with impressive growth rates exceeding 10%. Notably, the Public Administration, Defense & Social Security sector recorded exceptional growth of 37.6%, indicating its significant contribution to economic expansion. Following closely behind was the Health & Social Work sector, which experienced a remarkable growth rate of 31.6%. The Education sector also demonstrated robust growth, with a notable rate of 26.0%. Furthermore, the Information & Communication sector witnessed a substantial expansion of 18.9%.

Contracting Sub-sectors:

Conversely, a number of sub-sectors faced contraction during the first quarter of 2023, reflecting the challenges they encountered within the period. These sub-sectors experienced negative growth rates, impacting their respective contributions to the overall GDP. The Water Supply, Sewerage, Waste Management & Remediation Activities sector faced a decline of 6.4%. The construction industry encountered a contraction of 6.0%, while the Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles sub-sector experienced a decline of 5.3%. The fishing industry also faced a contraction of 3.3%, and the Mining and Quarrying sector experienced a decline of 2.9%. Additionally, the manufacturing sector contracted by 2.5%, and the Hotels and Restaurants sub-sector saw a minor contraction of 0.2%.

Ghana’s economy demonstrated resilience and recorded strong growth of 4.2% in the first quarter of 2023. The Public Administration, Defense & Social Security, Health, Education, and Information and Communication sectors played pivotal roles in driving this expansion. While several sub-sectors within these growth-driving sectors experienced significant growth rates, others faced contraction, reflecting the challenges they encountered. The positive GDP growth figures reflect the nation’s ability to navigate obstacles and capitalize on opportunities, ultimately contributing to the country’s overall economic development.

Source: Norvanreports