Tomato Traders Complete First Burkina Faso Trip After Terror Attack
Traders resume cross-border sourcing as markets recover from supply shortages
- Ghanaian tomato traders return safely after first trip since Burkina Faso terror attack.
- Border reopening follows government intervention to ease supply shortages.
- Traders report tense journey but relief in major markets as stocks improve.
A group of Ghanaian tomato traders has returned safely from Burkina Faso, nearly two weeks after fellow traders were caught up in a terrorist attack in the Titao community that disrupted cross-border trade.
The traders, who departed on Monday, February 22, arrived back in Ghana on Thursday, February 26. Their journey marks the first successful sourcing trip since the attack temporarily halted tomato imports from Burkina Faso.
The trip followed government intervention that led to the reopening of the border, allowing traders to resume their activities. The earlier closure had caused supply shortages and sharp price increases in markets across the country.
Their safe return has brought relief to major tomato trading centres, particularly the CMB area in Accra, where sellers had faced dwindling stocks and rising wholesale prices.
At the CMB Underbridge branch of the Ghana National Tomato Traders Association, members expressed gratitude for the safe return of their colleagues and commended the government for reopening the border. However, they also criticised what they described as delays in the decision, saying the uncertainty worsened their financial losses.
Despite the successful trip, some traders admitted that fears persist following the attack. They described the journey as tense but necessary, given the severe shortage of tomatoes locally and Ghana’s heavy reliance on supplies from Burkina Faso.
