Entrepreneur Ellen Ama Daaku is advocating for a rethink of Ghanaian traders’ reliance on tomato imports from the neighbouring country, Burkina Faso, following the tragic loss of seven tomato traders who were killed in a recent terrorist attack.
She argued that Ghanaian farmers are capable of meeting the domestic demand if given the rightful support, stressing that the local production can sustain the market if such support is provided.
Speaking on Anopa Bofo on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Daaku emphasized her call and underscored the need for a collective understanding to stop buying tomatoes from the West African country.
“If we decide to stop purchasing tomatoes from Burkina Faso, we won’t die,” she said while expressing worry over the attack incident.
She blamed Ghanaians for contributing to the current plight by preferring Burkina Faso tomatoes over the locally produced ones, despite their higher prices, and questioned why Ghana cannot cultivate similar varieties to those in Burkina Faso, especially given the potential of the local agricultural producers.
“The variety they are planting there, which we are so interested in, why can’t we plant some here, looking at the people into agricultural here in Ghana,” she added.
She further raised concerns about the lack of warnings from the National Security operatives and other state agencies to the traders before the attack occurred.
“Did they alert traders about the dangers of crossing the border during this time?” Ama Daaku asked.
According to her, the general public has collectively failed the affected individuals.
She questioned whether security warnings were issued but disregarded, comparing the situation to how other nations, particularly the United States of America, provide alerts to their citizens.
Source: Christabel Opare
