Informal cross-border trade records GH₵7.4bn
The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has revealed that the total value of informal cross-border trade in the fourth quarter of 2024 was estimated at GHS7.4 billion.
This was disclosed in the Service’s maiden Informal Cross-Border Trade (ICBT) Report, which captures the movement of goods and services between Ghana and its neighbouring countries.
According to the GSS, the report focuses on items typically transported by truck or carted on foot, which often remain unrecorded in official trade statistics.
Speaking at a press briefing to explain the findings, Government Statistician, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, said the figure represents about 4.3 per cent of total trade volume within the same period, largely driven by food items such as alcoholic beverages, cooking oil, livestock, and other consumables.
“The total value of cross-border informal trade amounted to GHS7.4 billion. During the same period, Ghana’s formal trade stood at GHS165.3 billion,” Dr. Iddrisu said.
The survey, which engaged 102 field officers across 321 border points, covered 10 out of the country’s 16 administrative regions.
The Volta Region recorded the highest number of border points (76), followed by Western North and the Upper Regions with 45 and 44 respectively.
Trade with Togo was identified as the most informal among Ghana’s three neighbouring countries. Ghana’s eastern neighbour led ICBT imports with an estimated GHS1.8 billion, while Burkina Faso recorded the highest exports valued at GHS1.7 billion.
Imports from Togo were about three times higher than those from Côte d’Ivoire, which stood at GHS600 million.
Ghana recorded a trade surplus with Burkina Faso (GHS571 million) and Côte d’Ivoire (GHS374.6 million), but registered a trade deficit of GHS538.9 million with Togo.
