GSS survey reveals wide variations in non-standard food measurements across Ghana

Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) released its first-ever Non-Standard Units Survey (NSUS) on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, revealing that non-standard measurement units like olonka, cups, buckets, bundles, and heaps are widely used in Ghana's food markets and households, despite significant differences in their actual weights across the country. Government Statistician Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu stated that the survey provides Ghana's first nationally representative data on the use of non-standard food measurement units, offering a stronger basis for producing official statistics.

The survey found that the same measurement unit often represents different weights depending on the region, creating inconsistencies in food pricing, agricultural statistics, and household consumption estimates. Household food measurements also vary considerably, even with seemingly standard containers. At the farmgate level, differences in container sizes and filling methods contribute to inconsistencies. However, container-based liquid commodities, such as palm oil, showed greater consistency in measurements than solid food items. To address this, the GSS has developed national conversion factors for major food commodities, allowing local measurement units to be converted into kilograms and litres. These conversion factors are expected to improve the accuracy of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), agricultural production statistics, and household consumption data, while enhancing evidence-based policymaking.