Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has called for stronger economic cooperation with Burkina Faso while raising concerns over the suspension of tomato exports during bilateral talks at the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé.
The meeting brought together officials from both countries, including members of Ghana’s Parliamentary Select Committee on Trade and Tourism as well as representatives from key Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
Ofosu-Adjare described Ghana and Burkina Faso as long-standing partners, stressing that enhanced trade remains critical to job creation, economic growth and wealth creation for both countries. She urged both sides to take deliberate steps to increase trade volumes, noting that current levels do not reflect the full potential of the relationship.
As part of efforts to boost trade, the minister invited Burkina Faso to submit a list of its top 10 imports to enable Ghanaian businesses explore opportunities to supply those goods competitively.
She also commended Burkina Faso’s expertise in agricultural production, particularly in tomatoes and onions, and expressed Ghana’s interest in learning from its farming practices, calling for closer collaboration and knowledge sharing in the sector.
The minister further raised concerns about insecurity in parts of Burkina Faso, noting that the situation has disrupted cross-border trading activities. She emphasised the need for joint measures to ensure the safety of Ghanaian traders operating in the country.
A major issue discussed during the meeting was Burkina Faso’s suspension of fresh tomato exports. Ofosu-Adjare said Ghana depends heavily on Burkina Faso for tomatoes, importing between 70% and 80% of its supply at an estimated annual value of $400 million.
She warned that the suspension poses a significant challenge to Ghana’s tomato supply chain and called for a mutually beneficial solution that addresses the concerns of both countries.
In response, the Burkinabè delegation explained that the decision is part of a broader strategy to support local industry by ensuring adequate raw materials for newly established tomato processing factories. The move, they said, reflects a shift towards value addition and industrialisation.
The Ghanaian minister also announced plans to invite between 20 and 50 Burkinabè traders to Ghana in the coming months to explore business opportunities across key sectors.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, focusing on expanding trade, improving market access, ensuring trader safety and deepening agricultural cooperation.
The meeting ended with a pledge to sustain dialogue and pursue practical solutions to emerging trade challenges between the two neighbouring countries.
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