The leadership of the Ghana National Tomato Traders Association has confirmed the safe arrival of trucks that crossed into Burkina Faso to purchase tomatoes, marking a cautious return to cross-border trade following last week’s deadly attack.
The trucks represent the first batch of traders to successfully return with consignments after a week-long border closure triggered by a terrorist assault that left eight Ghanaian tomato traders dead.
The development follows strong advisories urging traders and drivers to avoid high-risk areas after the attack on Ghanaian traders operating in Burkina Faso.
On Wednesday, February 25, the Association’s leadership held a sensitization session for traders, drivers, and other actors along the tomato value chain, emphasizing the need to prioritize safety while conducting business in the neighboring country.
Chairman Osei Tuffour confirmed that the initial group complied strictly with safety directives.
“The first batch of tomato traders and transporters who were given the chance to enter into Burkina Faso three days ago have arrived. This is the first car and I spoke to the driver and the traders,” he said.
“They went through without facing any dangers. The instruction given to them yesterday, they respected the instruction I gave them. They didn’t go to any danger zone, so they have arrived safely.”
The Association has reiterated its commitment to continuous education and safety briefings for traders and transporters operating along the cross-border corridor.
The return of the first batch is expected to bring some relief to local markets that have faced supply pressures since the attack and temporary border shutdown.
However, leadership insists that trade activities will proceed with extreme caution, with strict adherence to security guidance as tensions remain high in parts of Burkina Faso.
The safe arrival of the trucks signals a fragile but critical step toward stabilizing Ghana’s tomato supply chain after the deadly incident.