Accelerating ‘Big Push’ could spur industrial growth — Gov’t Statistician
Ghana’s industrial sector could grow well beyond its current modest pace if the government accelerates implementation of the ‘Big Push’ agenda, Government Statistician Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu has said.
He made the comments during the release of the 2025 first-quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimates in Accra.
While Ghana’s economy expanded by 5.3 percent in Q1 2025, up from 4.9 percent in the same period last year, industrial sector growth slowed to 3.4 percent compared to 6.7 percent in Q1 2024. The dip was largely attributed to a sharp 22.1 percent contraction in the oil and gas sector, which offset gains in manufacturing.
“Industry growth is slowing down, but manufacturing remains resilient, growing by 6.6 percent. Accelerating Big Push investments in power, roads, and digital infrastructure could support private sector expansion and enhance regional competitiveness, thereby unlocking stronger industrial growth,” Dr. Iddrisu noted.
The ‘Big Push’ is a government strategy centered on large-scale public infrastructure investment, including energy, transport, and ICT. It aims to eliminate bottlenecks, improve productivity, and stimulate job creation. Analysts say the programme could significantly enhance industrial competitiveness, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating within Ghana and under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Dr. Iddrisu indicated that targeted public investments, along with private sector adaptability, could shift the trajectory of industrial growth if coupled with effective execution and financing mechanisms.
The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) reported broad-based growth across all major sectors, with nominal GDP rising to GHS375.2 billion, up from GHS290.7 billion in Q1 2024. Real GDP stood at GHS53.5 billion, a notable rise from GHSS50.8 billion the year before.
Of particular interest was the non-oil real GDP, which grew by 6.8 percent, signaling the growing strength and resilience of the non-oil economy.
The agriculture sector posted 6.6 percent growth, a sharp improvement from 2.4 percent in Q1 2024. Fishing led the sub-sectors with an impressive 16.4 percent growth, the highest since 2022, while cocoa production also rebounded for the first time since Q3 2023.
Meanwhile, the services sector maintained its position as the largest contributor to GDP at 46.8 percent. It expanded by 5.9 percent, with the information and communication sub-sector recording the highest growth at 13.1 percent, followed by finance and insurance (9.3 percent) and transport and storage (8.6 percent).
Despite the overall economic uptick, the industrial sector underperformed due to energy-related declines. Mining and quarrying grew slightly at 1.4 percent, but the oil and gas industry’s slump significantly pulled down the sector’s overall contribution.
“The contraction in oil and gas by over 22 percent is a drag, but the performance of manufacturing demonstrates the underlying strength of local production,” Dr. Iddrisu said.
He also recommended strengthening the role of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) to stabilize gold earnings and broaden sectoral impact beyond extraction.
GSS offered tailored recommendations for both households and businesses to tap into the ongoing economic momentum.
For businesses, especially in logistics, delivery, ICT, and trade, Dr. Iddrisu recommended transitioning to 24-hour operation models to match growing service demand. He also encouraged manufacturers and SMEs to utilize existing infrastructure and trade opportunities under AfCFTA.
For households, he highlighted prospects in agriculture due to improved subsidies and training under the Agriculture for Transformation Programme, and job opportunities emerging from a stronger services sector.
“Households can benefit not only from food security and income gains but also from reduced inflation,” Dr. Iddrisu added.
