John Dumelo is the MP for Ayawaso West Wuogon
Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, has stated that the government is engaging authorities in Burkina Faso to strengthen security for Ghanaian tomato traders after recent deadly attacks targeting cross-border traders.
Speaking in an interview on the JoyNews’ Super Morning Show, on February 18, 2026, Dumelo explained that talks are ongoing between Ghana’s security agencies and their counterparts in Burkina Faso to guarantee the safety of traders travelling between the two countries.
“Yesterday, I had a brief meeting with my colleague, the Deputy Minister of the Interior, and we had a tete-a-tete about it,” he said.
“His Ministry is in talks with the security personnel on the Burkina Faso side to give some of the tomato traders formal security,” he said.
According to the minister, Ghana’s security agencies can only operate within Ghana’s borders, so collaborating with authorities in Burkina Faso is critical.
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“Our security jurisdiction ends at the border. After that, it is taken over by the Ouagadougou officials,” he explained, referring to authorities in Ouagadougou.
He said the ongoing engagements are aimed at developing a structured system that will allow traders to move safely in and out of Burkina Faso.
“And so that’s the kind of talks that we are into. Hopefully, in the next couple of days, we will have a clear road map,” Dumelo added.
Dumelo’s comments come in the wake of recent terrorist attacks in northern Burkina Faso, which reportedly claimed the lives of several Ghanaian tomato traders and left others injured.
The incident has sparked widespread concern among farmers, traders, and civil society groups, including calls from media and agricultural associations for stronger protection for Ghanaians involved in cross-border trade.
Tomato trading between Ghana and Burkina Faso remains a major source of livelihood for hundreds of traders, particularly in northern Ghana, where traders regularly travel across the border to purchase produce.
He also stated that the Ministry of the Interior is leading discussions with regional security officials, while his Ministry focuses on protecting the interests of farmers and traders.
He stressed that ensuring the safety of traders is critical not only for livelihoods but also for food security and price stability in Ghana.
“We want them to be able to trade and come back safely,” he said. “That is the focus of these engagements.”
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Source:
www.ghanaweb.com