Security analyst Andrews Asiedu Tetteh has stated that the recent terrorist attack resulting in the deaths of eight Ghanaian traders was “not surprising”.
He argued that the incident is a clear indication that the Ghanaian government does not prioritise the safety and security of its citizens.
Andrew Asiedu Tetteh noted that Burkina Faso has been unstable for a considerable time, with bandits, rebels, and various armed groups leading violent attacks across the region.
He posited that Ghanaian authorities should have implemented a temporary ban on all trading activities—particularly for tomato and commodity traders—until regional stability was restored.
“What happened is not surprising. It was bound to happen. Security analysts worth their salt knew this was bound to happen. Burkina Faso remains unstable; rebels and other armed bandits have taken over the place and are creating instability, he stated on an interview with Rainbow Radio.
If we were a responsible country, or a country that prioritises the safety of its people, we would have temporarily placed a ban on the movement of traders from Ghana to Burkina Faso until the situation was stable. If we had no option but to go, considering the economic impact, we could have deployed soldiers to accompany the traders.”
Regional Risks and the Bawku Connection
The analyst emphasised the need for stringent action, especially given that the ongoing Bawku crisis presents an additional security challenge. He warned that insurgents are likely to capitalise on such local instabilities to initiate further attacks.
Proposed Solutions
To prevent future tragedies and ensure the economy’s resilience, Tetteh advised the government to invest heavily in local agriculture to reduce reliance on imports.
“The government must immediately identify areas with available lands and provide the resources so we can plant more tomatoes, because in just three months, we can harvest them. Additionally, we have to ban Ghanaians from using that route and increase military presence along that stretch.”
