President John Dramani Mahama has lamented the killing of Ghanaian tomato traders in northern Burkina Faso, warning that the terrorist attack underscores worsening insecurity across the subregion.
At least seven Ghanaians were killed in a terrorist assault on Saturday, February 14. With approval from the Government of Ghana, Burkina Faso authorities buried the victims after collecting DNA samples to aid identification and inform their families.
Addressing participants at the Ghana Tree Crop Investment Summit in Accra on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Mahama said the tragedy illustrates the growing risks faced by cross-border traders and the broader implications for regional economic integration.
“And unfortunately, we lost a number of our compatriots. Thankfully, there are a few survivors. The Ghana Army is arranging to medevac them from Burkina Faso so that those who are injured can continue to receive treatment here in Ghana.
“On behalf of the government and the people, we express our condolences to the families of those who were either killed or injured,” he said.
Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak confirmed the victims were travelling in a truck that came under attack over the weekend, leaving at least four others injured.
He said the vehicle was carrying 18 passengers — 10 men and eight women — when armed fighters raided the town on February 14.
In an interview on Joy FM on Monday, February 16, 2026, Mubarak recounted the brutality of the attack.
“The jihadists ran into the town and started rounding up almost everybody, especially the males, targeting to kill every male just on sight,” he said.
“They separated the males from the females and went on the street and sprayed, killing almost all the males.”
Seven men died, three sustained injuries, and one woman suffered severe injuries, while seven women escaped without serious physical harm.
Mubarak added that Ghanaian officials are working closely with their Burkinabè counterparts. Because of the deteriorating security situation in Titao, Ghana’s embassy was unable to attend the burial.
He said the bodies had to be buried immediately due to their condition, but authorities first collected DNA samples to support formal identification.
Surviving women who personally knew the victims have already provided their names to Ghanaian officials and will assist in documenting the burial process.
