Tomato and onion truck drivers who travel from Ghana to Burkina Faso say their cross-border journeys remain perilous after armed men attacked a truck carrying Ghanaian traders, leaving several feared dead and others seriously injured.
Vivian Smith Mensah, an executive member of the Tomato and Onion Truck Drivers Association, told the Asaase Breakfast Show on Monday (16 February) that the victims were part of a convoy heading north to purchase tomatoes when they encountered suspected terrorists.
“They heard gunshots and thought it was the usual encounter where they only search us and let Ghanaians go,” she said. “But this time they just started shooting. Some were running and they shot them.”
She said about 20 or more traders are usually packed into each vehicle, but the association has yet to confirm the exact number of casualties.
“At least two or three survived but they are seriously injured and have been taken to hospital,” she added.
According to Mensah, Ghanaian traders have long faced threats along the Burkina route but often stay silent out of fear of reprisals.
“These things have been happening for years. We were afraid to talk because when we meet them they don’t normally harm Ghanaians. We fear if we speak publicly and they see us again, they might kill us,” she said.
She revealed that she was personally attacked about three years ago.
Drivers receive police and military escort from Kumasi through to Paga, but protection ends at the border since Ghanaian security forces cannot operate inside Burkina Faso.
“After Paga, you are on your own,” she said.
The association is currently working with local contacts and Ghanaian diplomatic officials in Burkina Faso to determine the fate of the remaining passengers.
Mensah described the attack as “heartbreaking” and called for stronger regional security cooperation to protect traders who risk their lives to keep Ghana’s food supply moving.
Asaase Broadcasting Company airs on Asaase 99.5 Accra, Asaase 98.5 Kumasi, Asaase 99.7 Tamale, Asaase 100.3 Cape Coast, AsaasePa 107.3 (Accra).
Affiliates: Bawku FM 101.5, Bead FM 99.9 (Bimbilla), Mining City Radio 89.5 (Tarkwa), Nandom FM 101.9, Nyatefe Radio 94.5 (Dzodze), Sissala Radio 96.3 (Tumu), Somuaa FM 89.9 (Gushegu), Stone City 90.7 (Ho) and Wale FM 106.9 (Walewale).
Listen online: atlanticafricanews.com/, Sound Garden and TuneIn.
Follow us:
X: @asaaseradio995, @Asaase985ksi, @Asaase997tamale, @asaase1003, asaasepa1073
Instagram: asaaseradio99.5, asaase985ksi, asaase100.3, asaase99.7tamale, asaasepa107.3
LinkedIn: company/asaaseradio995. TikTok: @asaaseradio99.5
Facebook: asaase99.5, asaase985ksi, Asaase100.3, asaase99.7, AsaasePa107.3.
YouTube: AsaaseRadioXtra.
Join the conversation. Accra: call 020 000 9951/054 888 8995, WhatsApp 020 000 0995. Kumasi: call 059 415 7985 or call/WhatsApp 020 631 5260. Tamale: call/WhatsApp/SMS 053 554 6468. Cape Coast: call/WhatsApp 059 388 2652.
#AsaaseRadio
#AsaasePa
#TheVoiceofOurLand
