{
  "id": 16750905,
  "title": "Building inflation increases to 5.1% in September 2026, but cement inflation stood at -6.1%",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/building-inflation-increases-to-5-1-in-september-2026-but-cement",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-27T13:31:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/building-inflation-increases-to-5-1-in-september-2026-but-cement-inflation-stood-at-6-1/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In September 2026, the year-on-year inflation rate for the Prime Building Cost Index (PBCI) rose to 5.1%, an increase from 4.6% in August 2026. However, the monthly change rate for September 2026 was a slight 0.03%. Ghana's Statistical Service reported that building inflation remained relatively low despite a September increase. The primary drivers of the September inflation were rising plant and equipment costs, which climbed by 19.1% year-on-year. Group-wise, the Labour group saw a year-on-year inflation rate drop to -3.2% in September 2026 from -2.9% in August 2026. The Material group recorded a 6.5% year-on-year increase, up from 5.8% in August, while the Plant group saw a substantial 19.1% rise, up from 17.9% the previous month. At the sub-group level, Reinforcement had the highest inflation rate at 29.0%, while Steel had the lowest at -8.8%. Notably, 14 out of the 23 sub-groups posted inflation rates above the national average of 5.1%. Over the year, the overall inflation had halved but accelerated since March 2026. For households, the cost of structural inputs had decreased compared to a year ago, with cement inflation at -6.1% and steel at -8.8%. Nevertheless, inputs for finishing and installation, such as plumbing (+27.5%), glazing (+20.6%), and tiles (+9.2%), saw increased costs. The overall building costs in September 2026 were 5.1% higher than in September 2025.",
  "summary": "The year-on-year inflation rate of the Prime Building Cost Index (PBCI) was 5.1% in September 2026, up from 4.6% in August 2026. The monthly change rate for September 2026 was 0.03%. According to the Ghana Statistical Service, building inflation remains low, despite an increase in September 2026. The drivers of the September inflation were plant […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "Building cost inflation rises to 5.1% in September 2026 – GSS",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/building-cost-inflation-rises-to-5-1-in-september-2026-gss",
        "published": "2026-10-27T14:46:38.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}