Tomato Traders Warn of Imminent Shortage and Price Surge in Ghana Amid Burkina Faso Terror Attacks
Tomato traders and importers in Accra have issued a stark warning of a looming shortage and sharp rise in tomato prices across Ghana unless the government urgently invests in local irrigation infrastructure to ramp up domestic production.
The alert follows a deadly terrorist attack on February 14, 2026, in Titao, northern Burkina Faso, where suspected jihadist militants targeted a truck carrying Ghanaian tomato traders. The assault, confirmed by Ghana’s Ministry of the Interior and Foreign Affairs, claimed the lives of eight Ghanaians (initial reports cited seven, later updated to eight) and injured several others. Survivors, including three injured traders, were evacuated by the Ghana Armed Forces and received medical treatment upon return.
Ghana relies heavily on Burkina Faso for tomato imports, particularly during off-seasons for local farming. The attack has severely disrupted cross-border supply chains, prompting the Ghana National Tomato Traders and Transporters Association to suspend trips along the route. Traders cite heightened security risks, with many unwilling to endanger drivers and families.
Esther Owusu Ansah, a seasoned tomato importer with over 30 years of experience, told Citi Business News that traders may cease Burkina Faso journeys entirely without guaranteed protection. “If the government and security agencies do not provide us with adequate protection, we will not bother travelling to Burkina Faso anymore. Our drivers have families, and they cannot risk their lives just to transport tomatoes,” she said. She noted that while security escorts are sometimes arranged up to Paga border, the onward journey remains perilous and unpredictable.
Adwoa Pinnaman, another trader, emphasized the need for domestic solutions: “We thought we were not targets of the terrorists. We want the government to construct dams for us that will prevent us from going to Burkina Faso.” She criticized the quality of imported produce, often arriving rotten, and highlighted funds flowing abroad that could instead bolster Ghanaian agriculture.
Otumfuo Charity, Queenmother of the CMB Underbridge branch in Accra and an executive of the Ghana National Tomato Traders Association, raised concerns about potential smuggling from Togo exploiting the disruption. “Some of these traders use routes through northern Togo under the pretext of selling to their counterparts, but they end up selling the tomatoes directly to Ghanaian traders,” she explained. The association vowed to crack down on illegal imports.
Transporters and drivers are already feeling the pinch. Kwame Siaw, a driver at CMB Underbridge, said operations have nearly stalled, forcing many to seek unsustainable alternatives. Peter Boahen, in the trade since 2006, warned of broader economic fallout: “With fewer tomatoes on the market, prices will become more expensive… How then will we take care of our families?”
The incident has spotlighted Ghana’s vulnerability to regional instability and over-reliance on imports, with calls growing for investment in irrigation, dams, and year-round local tomato farming to enhance food security, protect livelihoods, and reduce exposure to dangerous trade routes.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation, with the government expressing regret over the losses and urging caution in cross-border activities. Tomato prices have already begun rising in markets like Accra, and prolonged disruption could exacerbate the impact on households nationwide.
