Report of killings in Burkina Faso intensifies calls for local vegetable production
Growing insecurity in parts of the Sahel has sparked urgent calls for Ghanaian traders to halt dangerous cross-border journeys to purchase tomatoes and onions from conflict-hit regions.
Traders who travel to northern Burkina Faso and parts of Niger are increasingly being exposed to escalating violence linked to extremist insurgencies. Reports from traders and transport operators indicate that rebel attacks, kidnappings, and ambushes have intensified, making commercial travel highly risky.
Eight Traders Reportedly Killed
Tensions have heightened following disturbing reports that eight Ghanaian traders — mostly men — were allegedly killed and burned by jihadist fighters in Burkina Faso. According to accounts circulating within trader associations, several women travelling with the group were kidnapped, abused, and later released with injuries.
While independent verification remains difficult due to limited access to conflict zones, the reports have triggered fear among market operators and transport unions who rely on the Sahel trade corridor.
Security observers warn that jihadist groups operating in the region often target civilians and outsiders, with little regard for whether victims are traders or locals. The worsening instability has transformed what was once a routine supply route into a life-threatening gamble.
Traders Face Rising Danger
Cross-border vegetable trade has long been a lifeline for market women and food suppliers in southern Ghana. However, the security landscape in the Sahel has changed dramatically in recent years, with militant groups expanding their influence across large territories.
Sources familiar with regional dynamics say the unpredictable nature of rebel operations makes it difficult to guarantee the safety of traders travelling deep into volatile areas.
Calls for Local Production
Analysts and agricultural stakeholders are now urging a shift toward domestic production. They argue that Ghana possesses the fertile land and favourable climate needed to produce tomatoes, onions, carrots, and other vegetables locally.
From the northern savannah zones to the middle belt, experts say Ghana has the capacity to scale up vegetable farming if supported by irrigation systems, storage infrastructure, and targeted investment.
“Ghana should not be exporting jobs and risking lives when we can grow these crops here,” an Accra-based agricultural economist noted.
Political Undercurrents
Some observers believe geopolitical tensions may further complicate the situation. Ghana’s president, John Dramani Mahama, has strengthened diplomatic engagement with Sahelian states, including Burkina Faso under its leader Ibrahim Traoré, as well as authorities in Mali and Niger.
While the diplomatic outreach is seen as part of broader regional cooperation, analysts caution that shifting alliances in the Sahel could heighten risks for civilians, including traders operating across borders.
Economic Concerns
Beyond security fears, stakeholders say the long-distance vegetable trade is becoming less economically viable. Rising fuel prices, transport costs, and border delays are eroding profit margins, while insecurity adds an additional layer of risk.
Traders often incur hidden costs ranging from bribes to prolonged delays, ultimately pushing up market prices for consumers back home.
A Turning Point
Agricultural advocates are calling on policymakers to seize the moment by investing in local vegetable production. Proposed interventions include expanding irrigation projects in northern Ghana, improving cold storage systems, and supporting smallholder farmers with subsidies and financing.
They argue that strengthening domestic agriculture would not only reduce reliance on unstable regions but also create jobs and enhance food security.
Safety First
As insecurity deepens across the Sahel, traders are being urged to prioritise safety over profit. Industry voices say the time has come for a national rethink — one that places lives, local agriculture, and long-term sustainability above risky cross-border trade.
For many observers, the message is clear: Ghana has the land, the labour, and the potential. The challenge now is turning inward and building a resilient agricultural system that keeps both food and citizens safe.
