President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the Ghana Armed Forces will evacuate survivors of a terrorist attack in Burkina Faso to Ghana for medical treatment, as authorities continue efforts to bring injured traders home and support affected families.
He spoke on the deadly attack targeting Ghanaian tomato traders during the Ghana Tree Crops Investment Summit & Exhibition in Accra, where he expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and reaffirmed government action to ensure the safety and recovery of surviving victims.
“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
The incident occurred on Saturday, February 14, 2026, when a group of Ghanaian tomato traders travelling to Burkina Faso to purchase produce was ambushed by suspected Islamist insurgents in the turbulent northern town of Titao. The attackers separated the men from the women and opened fire, killing the seven male traders and burning the vehicle they were travelling in.
Interior Minister Mubarak-Muntaka Mohammed confirmed that seven Ghanaian traders lost their lives in the brutal assault, while several others sustained injuries, including serious burns. Surviving female traders were reportedly unharmed, while three men and one woman remain hospitalised.
Due to the severity of the attack and the extent of damage to the victims’ remains, Burkina Faso authorities conducted DNA testing before burial to ensure accurate identification of the deceased. The seven victims were laid to rest in Burkina Faso when security conditions prevented Ghanaian officials from safely accessing the area.
President Mahama reassured the nation that the government is taking immediate steps to evacuate the injured survivors to Ghana for continued medical treatment. He said the Ghana Armed Forces have been activated to facilitate the medical evacuation, underscoring the state’s commitment to protecting its citizens even in conflict-prone regions.
The tragedy has highlighted the risks faced by Ghanaian traders operating near volatile areas of the Sahel, where extremist militant groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State have increased attacks in recent years, killing thousands and displacing many more across Burkina Faso and neighbouring states.
In extending condolences to the families of the victims, President Mahama warned that the region remains dangerous and emphasised the need for enhanced regional cooperation to address insecurity. Authorities have appealed to the public for sensitivity and restraint, particularly in avoiding the sharing of graphic footage of the victims, which could deepen trauma for grieving families
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