On February 17, 2026, the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Donatus Atanga Akamugri, visited Ghanaian tomato traders who were attacked by jihadists while crossing the border between Burkina Faso and Mali.
The traders, who had been purchasing tomatoes in large quantities, were ambushed, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals, whose bodies were burned beyond recognition.Mr. Akamugri noted that there were 18 people in the truck during the attack; while seven were killed, three others were critically injured and airlifted to Accra for medical attention. Tragically, one of the critically injured later succumbed to their injuries, raising the total death toll to eight.
The remaining ten survivors included three from southern Ghana and seven from the Upper East Region.Akamugri expressed his condolences, stating, “We are saddened by the loss of life, but we are grateful that some have survived. We came to receive them and support them in this time of distress.” He also praised the authorities in Burkina Faso for their prompt response and care for the survivors.
During his interactions, Mr. Akamugri spoke with Ghana’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Kenneth Kabati, who confirmed the death of seven individuals. The bodies of the deceased were buried the day before the minister’s visit.
Mr. Akamugri extended gratitude to the security forces for their unwavering support and emphasized the need for continued collaboration between Ghana and Burkina Faso’s security agencies.
He acknowledged that while the jihadist threat may seem distant, recent events have shown that it affects both countries.He stated, “If there is information regarding jihadist activities, we must share it to prevent further tragedies.
I believe that had we received timely information, we might have avoided this unfortunate incident.” Moreover, he pledged on behalf of the government to strengthen cooperation with Burkina Faso to combat jihadist threats effectively. He urged all citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
“The safety of the citizens of both Burkina Faso and Ghana is at stake. Only through collective efforts can we suppress these jihadists and ensure that our people live in peace,” Akamugri noted
Source:mywordfmonline.com/Gaspard Ayuureneeya Adongo.