Tomato traders in the Ashanti Region have voiced disappointment over what they describe as the government’s lack of engagement following a recent terrorist attack on their colleagues in Burkina Faso.
The traders say they will not resume travelling across the border to purchase tomatoes until concrete security assurances are provided to guarantee their safety.
Their decision has already begun to disrupt supply, triggering a sharp rise in tomato prices as only limited quantities remain on the market.
The situation stems from a terrorist attack in Burkina Faso two weeks ago that claimed the lives of eight Ghanaian tomato traders and left several others injured. The incident has effectively halted cross-border tomato trade and highlighted Ghana’s heavy reliance on imported tomatoes.
Since the attack, many traders have refused to travel to restock, resulting in shortages that are now impacting consumers.
At the Racecourse Market in Kumasi, several tomato stalls were found empty, with traders idling as they waited for supplies. An area that is typically vibrant and busy appeared unusually quiet. Retailers who spoke to Citi News lamented the sharp increase in prices for the few tomatoes available.
The market queen for tomatoes, Nana Akoma, who has been in the trade for over four decades, said most traders have exhausted their stock. She expressed concern that since the incident, there has been no direct engagement from government officials or a clear roadmap to address the security concerns.
“What happened to our colleagues has frightened us, so no one has set out on a journey yet. We are waiting to hear from the Minister of Food and Agriculture and the government. Almost all traders have run out of stock. Once we hear from them, we will decide our next steps,” she said.
She added that traders need protection before resuming cross-border activities. “We are risking our lives in neighbouring countries just to bring tomatoes home to feed our people. Unfortunately, there has been no government engagement since the incident, but we are still waiting,” she stated.
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