The Member of Parliament for New Juaben South, Michael Okyere Baafi, has called for urgent action from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following the killing of Ghanaian traders in Burkina Faso.
Speaking on Ekosii Sen on Asempa FM, the Ranking Member on Trade explained that a group of tomato traders traveling to Burkina Faso was ambushed by armed insurgents.
He said information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicates that seven Ghanaians have been confirmed dead, though reports from Burkina Faso put the number at nine.
“I have received information from the Ministry indicating that seven people are dead, while reports from Burkina Faso state nine fatalities. Among the deceased are tomato traders, but one woman is still missing, and efforts are ongoing to locate her. A mass burial has already been conducted for those who died,” he disclosed.
Mr. Okyere Baafi described the response from the Ministry of Interior as underwhelming and announced that he has scheduled an urgent meeting with the sector minister to push for a parliamentary inquiry into the incident.
He emphasised that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should have issued a travel advisory to warn traders against traveling to Burkina Faso given the current security situation.
The MP also urged the government to promote large-scale tomato farming in Ghana through investment and incentives, arguing that boosting local production would reduce the need for traders to risk their lives abroad.
“I have arranged an urgent meeting with the minister to demand a parliamentary inquiry into the response from the Ministry of Interior. Their response has been underwhelming. This is about the lives of Ghanaians. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should also be involved and should have issued an advisory warning people not to travel to Burkina Faso for trade.
“Additionally, I propose that the Ministry of Trade and Agriculture or the government begin promoting investment in large-scale tomato farming in Ghana. By providing incentives to farmers, we can reduce the need for people to travel to high-risk areas and protect lives,” he added.
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