Dominic Nitiwul, the former Defence Minister, has said the John Mahama government’s stance toward Burkina Faso’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, caused the tomato traders’ attack.
The former Defence Minister quizzed why Ibrahim Traoré was invited to President John Dramani Mahama’s swearing-in ceremony, noting very well that he was fighting terrorism on our border.
According to Dominic Nitiwul, even at the peak of terrorist activities from 2018 to 2021 in Burkina Faso, Ghanaians were largely spared such attacks.
Dominic Nitiwul further urged the government to rethink its relationship with other countries.
Speaking in an interview with Citi News, Dominic Nitiwul explained, “The attackers knew these were Ghanaians, so why did they go ahead to attack them? They knew this was a Ghanaian-registered vehicle; they knew they were speaking English.
“During the period of 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, this was the time that terrorism was high in Burkina Faso, and Ghanaians were going there, but they never attacked them. In fact, when they saw that you are a Ghanaian, they allowed you to pass. Why are they attacking Ghanaians now?
“I think we are beginning to create enemies for ourselves. Why did we invite Captain Traoré for the swearing-in when he was a coup maker? The man is fighting terrorism on our border. He is fighting people who could target us. What was the use? Why were we cheering him?” he questioned.
Also, John Ntim Fordjour, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, has said that if politicians are protected to travel to Burkina Faso, traders ought to be offered that same protection.
According to Ntim Fordjour, the same level of escort provided to politicians, ministers, Deputy Minister or the CEO when they travel to Burkina Faso should be extended to Ghanaian traders travelling.
Speaking in an interview on TV3 on February 17, 2026, Ntim Fordjour detailed, “When it comes to trans-border trips for traders, the Ministry of Defence should undertake a proper risk assessment if that has not already been done. As Ranking Member on the Defence Committee, I can say that we have not been apprised of any such risk assessment regarding Burkina Faso”.
“If such a report becomes available, it should clearly advise travellers to Burkina Faso about identified hotspots and areas that are considered no-go zones. It should also outline the relatively safer areas where traders can operate,” he noted.
He added, “Beyond that, there must be an additional layer of protection. Even in designated safe areas, there should be arrangements for security escorts to ensure that traders who must, by necessity, travel to Burkina Faso for business are adequately protected.
“When a politician, Minister, Deputy Minister or CEO travels to Burkina Faso, they receive full protection from the relevant security agencies to guarantee their safety. If political office holders are protected to travel and return safely, then traders deserve that same level of protection, especially given the security challenges in the sub-region and within our neighbouring countries,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued new travel guidelines requiring Ghanaians intending to travel to high-risk areas to first contact the Ministry or Ghanaian embassies for guidance, following the deadly terrorist attack in Burkina Faso that killed eight traders.
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