This paper considers the validity of using the three surveys to assess trends in poverty in Ghana over the period for which they were conducted. The main issue covered in this paper is the pattern of changes in poverty in Ghana over the period covered by the GLSS surveys, and the extent to which the results indicated by the survey data are robust. There are different dimension to this issue data reliability. One is the issue of the extent to which the surveys are legitimately comparable, the extent to which adjustments or corrections can be made for any problems of comparability, and the effects of such adjustments on the results. Another issue is the question to the definition of poverty. Many different approaches can be taken to the measurement of poverty; in particular many different choices can be justified with regard to the measure of the standard of living and the poverty line chosen. It is important to know to what extent indicated trends in poverty over time are sensitive to the precise definitions used. Poverty appears to have fallen significantly in all rural areas, but the Savannah region remains a long way behind the remaining rural areas. In Accra, by contrast, poverty has increased marginally over the same period. Overall there is evidence of convergence between urban and rural areas, though the differential between the least poor urban area (Accra) and the poorest rural areas (the savannah) remains large.