Minister for Trade and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has expressed hope that Ghana will achieve year-round tomato production to reduce reliance on imports and prevent future tragedies involving traders traveling outside the country.
According to her, strengthening local production could help avoid situations where Ghanaian traders are exposed to insecurity beyond the country’s borders.
The Minister made the remarks on February 23 when she visited injured traders receiving treatment at the 37 Military Hospital.
She was accompanied by the Minister for Transport, her deputy, as well as leadership of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Tomato Sellers Association.
“We’re here to visit the people who got injured during the Burkina Faso accident, we’ve wished them well. We pray that they recover fully under your care.”
She condemned the attack and described it as deeply unfortunate.
“It’s unfortunate and we condemn this in no uncertain terms. I don’t know how buying and selling of tomatoes can end somebody’s life. Peaceful people going about their business.”
The Minister stressed the need to boost local tomato production to avoid similar incidents in the future.
“We hope that we’re able to do tomato all year round so that this will not happen. We pray for peace in that space also.”
She also thanked the hospital authorities for their care and encouraged them to continue supporting the victims.
“At the bedside, the doctors explained to us how they’re doing well and how they’re stable and there’s no cause for alarm, and that’s always the thing I want to hear.”
Their visit follows a deadly attack on February 14, 2026, in Titao, northern Burkina Faso, where a truck carrying Ghanaian tomato traders was ambushed by terrorists.
At least eight Ghanaian nationals have been killed as a result of the attack.
Reports indicate that gunmen ambushed several trucks, allegedly lining up male traders and drivers before shooting them and setting the vehicles ablaze. Several other traders, mostly women, sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment in Accra.
