March inflation rises

The average change in the general price levels of goods and services, measured by inflation, rose to 16.6 per cent in March 2015.

The rate is one percentage point higher than the 16.5 per cent recorded in February 2015. The monthly change rate subsequently was 1.0 per cent compared to the 1.2 per cent recorded for February 2015.

The food and non-alcoholic beverages group recorded a year-on-year inflation rate of 7.2 per cent. This is 0.2 percentage points higher than the 7.0 per cent in February 2015.

‘Seven subgroups of the food and non-alcoholic beverages group recorded inflation rates higher than the group’s average rate of 7.2 per cent,’ he said.

The non-food group recorded a year-on-year inflation rate of 23.1 per cent in March 2015, compared to the23.0 per cent recorded for February 2014.

“Two subgroups recorded year-on-year inflation rates higher than the group’s average rate of 23.1 per cent. Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels recorded the highest rate of 26.2 per cent followed by Transport with 25.8 per cent,” he added.

On the regional front, the Central Region recorded the highest inflation rate of 19.2 per cent, followed by the Ashanti Region with 17.3 per cent. The Brong Ahafo region recorded the least rate of 14.3 per cent.