Up close with tomato traders in Agbogbloshie: Traders demand irrigation support after deadly Burkina Faso attack

Grief and fear gripped tomato traders at the Agbogbloshie market after news broke that several Ghanaian traders had been killed during a buying trip to Burkina Faso.

The traders, who had gathered for the funeral of their association president, were informed that armed militants described by them as jihadist groups attacked a convoy and reportedly killed about twelve traders.

In an interview with Kojo Preko Dankwa on Kessben Maakye, a trader reportedly called One Side, revealed that worsening tomato shortages in Ghana have forced them to depend on imports from the neighbouring country. They explained that they previously bought largely from local farmers at Navrongo, Akomadan and some other places but declining supply has pushed them onto increasingly dangerous cross-border routes.

“We don’t want to go there, but the tomatoes are not enough here,” one trader said. “That is why we travel.”

They recounted multiple threats along the journey, including unofficial payments at checkpoints, armed robberies, and repeated militant attacks. Traders said the latest incident was not the first time colleagues had been killed while transporting goods back to Ghana.

Beyond the security dangers, the traders stressed the economic cost of dependence on imports, estimating that the country spends about GH¢5.7 billion annually on tomato imports.

They are now calling on government authorities to revive local tomato production through irrigation investment and farming support programmes.

“If there is irrigation, our farmers can produce all year,” a trader stated. “We prefer buying locally because there is security nationwide, and it will also boost the economy.”

The traders say improving domestic production would not only reduce imports but also prevent further loss of lives along the risky supply route.