The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says it supports a full investigation into the killing of Ghanaian traders by suspected extremists in northern Burkina Faso.
Abdel‑Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, condemned the February 14 attack in Titao, where militants linked to Jama’at Nasr al‑Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) ambushed a group of tomato traders. Eight Ghanaians were killed and others wounded.
The victims were traveling along a trade corridor between northern Ghana and Burkina Faso when gunmen opened fire. Survivors were evacuated to Accra, where they are receiving treatment at the 37 Military Hospital. Former President John Mahama has visited the injured.
The attack has renewed concern over the safety of informal cross‑border commerce in the Sahel, where insurgent groups have increasingly targeted civilians. Trade in tomatoes and onions is a key source of income for communities in northern Ghana but has become more dangerous amid worsening security conditions.
