Ghana records $4.3bn trade surplus in Q1 2026, driven by gold – GSS

In the first quarter of 2026, Ghana's trade surplus reached $4.3 billion, largely fueled by robust gold exports, according to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS). The figures are detailed in the First Quarter Trade Newsletter released by the GSS. The nation exported goods worth $10.2 billion during this period, while imports totaled $5.9 billion.

Dr Alhassan Iddrissu, the Government Statistician, explained that for every 100 cedis earned from exports, 58 percent were spent on imports, resulting in a net surplus. However, he cautioned that this surplus is influenced by rising prices and may not accurately reflect the actual balance between goods exported and imported. Gold was the primary export during the quarter, generating $5.9 billion in revenue, while cocoa exports also showed improvement.

Yet, Dr Iddrissu highlighted that Ghana's export earnings are heavily concentrated in a few commodities, with gold playing a dominant role. Additionally, he expressed concern over the concentration of export markets, noting that India and Switzerland together accounted for over a third of Ghana's total exports.