Majority Dismisses Claim Linking Ghana’s Praise of Ibrahim Traoré to Traders’ Killing
James Agalga says tensions with Burkina Faso predate Mahama administration, calls Minority’s allegation baseless
- Majority rejects blame over traders’ deaths.
- Agalga says tensions began under previous government.
- Mahama focused on restoring regional security ties.
The Majority in Parliament has strongly dismissed assertions by the Minority that Ghana’s supposed admiration of Ibrahim Traoré under the leadership of John Dramani Mahama contributed to the recent killing of Ghanaian traders in Burkina Faso.
The Minority raised the claim following reports that eight Ghanaian tomato traders were killed by suspected terrorists while carrying out business activities across the border.
Addressing the allegation, Chairman of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, James Agalga, rejected it as baseless and irresponsible. He argued that diplomatic strains between Ghana and Burkina Faso did not originate under the current administration.
Mr. Agalga explained that tensions escalated during the previous government when Burkina Faso was accused of engaging the Wagner Group to assist in its counterterrorism operations. According to him, that accusation led to Burkina Faso’s withdrawal from the Accra Initiative and a halt in intelligence-sharing cooperation with Ghana.
He emphasized that since returning to office, President Mahama has prioritized repairing relations with neighbouring Sahel states to enhance joint efforts against terrorism. As part of this strategy, a special envoy was appointed to liaise with the three Sahel countries to strengthen regional security collaboration.
Mr. Agalga further expressed disappointment in the Minority’s stance, describing it as irresponsible to link the tragic deaths of the Ghanaian traders to Ghana’s perceived praise of President Traoré.
