Ashanti Region: Tomato traders suspend travels to Burkina Faso, cites insecurity

Tomato traders in the Ashanti Region have suspended travels to Burkina Faso citing security concerns, following the recent deadly attack on Ghanaian traders.

The move has disrupted supply, driving up prices, with stalls at Racecourse Market left largely empty.

Their decision to halt trips to Burkina Faso stern from a terror attack that killed eight Ghanaian traders, leaving several injured

The attack has highlighted Ghana’s over-reliance on imported tomatoes, leaving the country vulnerable and halting supply chains.

Since the incident, traders have largely stayed away from restocking, forcing consumers to bear the brunt of the scarcity.

OTEC FM News, in a visit to the Racecourse Market in Kumasi, showed a notably quiet trading area that is typically crowded with fresh fruit, along with empty tomato boxes. Retailers also complained about high pricing hikes.

Nana Akoma, the tomato market queen with over 40 years of experience, said traders have completely run out of stock and criticised the absence of a government response or a clear plan to resolve the situation. She also expressed frustration over long-standing neglect of local tomato farming, which forces traders to risk their lives in neighbouring countries for supplies.

Retailer Maame Dufie broke down as she recounted the struggle to secure tomatoes for sale, lamenting dwindling supply.

The traders also complained that since the terror attack, no government or minister had come to see how they were doing and the way forward

According to them, they’re waiting for the greenlight from the Agric Ministry before they resume going on tomato trips

Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/Bismark Appiah Kubi