North East Region Ranked Ghana’s Poorest Region – GSS

Six districts in Ghana’s North East Region have been ranked as the poorest in the country in the latest district-level poverty estimates released by the Ghana Statistical Service, highlighting persistent regional disparities in development outcomes despite broader national progress.

The report points to significant inequalities across districts and identifies continuing challenges in access to healthcare, education, infrastructure and economic opportunities in some parts of the country.

According to the findings, all six of the most deprived districts nationally are located within the North East Region, underscoring concerns over uneven development and persistent multidimensional poverty.

Presenting the findings, Government Statistician Alhassan Iddrisu stated that although poverty levels remain high in some areas, Ghana has made measurable progress overall.

He disclosed that 250 out of the country’s 261 districts recorded reductions in multidimensional poverty between 2021 and 2025, indicating broad improvements in living conditions across much of the country.

However, he cautioned that progress has not been uniform and that considerable gaps remain between districts.

According to the report, Union-Nasuan District recorded the highest poverty incidence nationally at 51.6 per cent, making it the most deprived district in the country based on the latest estimates.

At the opposite end of the scale, Ayawaso North Municipal recorded the lowest poverty incidence at 5.5 per cent, reflecting wide variations in social and economic outcomes across regions.

The multidimensional poverty estimates measure deprivation beyond income levels and assess factors such as access to education, health services, living standards and broader socio-economic wellbeing.

Commenting on the report, Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem said the findings will play an important role in shaping government policy and strengthening development planning.

According to him, the district-level estimates provide government with a clearer understanding of where interventions are needed most and will support more effective allocation of national resources.

He described the report as an important governance and accountability tool that can help policymakers target poverty reduction initiatives more accurately and ensure that development reaches underserved communities.

Mr. Ampem further indicated that government intends to use the findings to improve equity in public investment and support interventions aimed at reducing disparities across regions.

The report is expected to inform future planning decisions in sectors including education, health, infrastructure, employment and social protection as government works to promote inclusive growth and improve living standards nationwide. The findings also reinforce ongoing discussions around balanced regional development and the need for targeted investments to ensure that economic gains are more evenly distributed across all parts of the country.