Relief and cautious optimism have swept through major tomato markets in Ghana after a group of traders returned safely from Burkina Faso following a recent terrorist attack that shook the trade corridor.
The traders left Ghana on Monday, February 22, and arrived back on Thursday, February 26, completing the first sourcing trip since the attack in Titao disrupted cross-border business and forced a temporary closure of the route.
Their journey came after government intervention led to the reopening of the border, allowing members of the Ghana National Tomato Traders Association to resume their activities.
The closure had triggered tomato shortages and sharp price hikes in several markets, placing pressure on both traders and consumers.
At the CMB Underbridge branch in Accra, colleagues welcomed the returning traders with visible relief. For weeks, many had struggled with limited stock and rising wholesale prices, uncertain about when normal supply would resume.
One trader shared the anxiety that surrounded the trip. “We were scared because of what happened earlier, but we had no choice. The market was empty, and our customers depend on us,” she said.
While traders expressed appreciation for the reopening of the border, some also voiced frustration over what they described as delays in the decision, arguing that the uncertainty worsened their financial losses.
Despite lingering fears, the successful trip has restored a measure of confidence among tomato sellers who rely heavily on supplies from Burkina Faso to sustain their livelihoods and stabilise prices in local markets.
