An alarming terrorist attack in northern Burkina Faso has claimed the lives of 18 Ghanaian traders and left others injured, prompting urgent appeals from Ghana’s Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak for the public to cease circulating distressing images and videos of the victims.

The attack, which occurred during a confrontation between extremist fighters and Burkinabe security forces near Titao, targeted a truck transporting Ghanaian tomato traders along a route known for repeated extremist violence.

Minister Mubarak confirmed on Monday, February 16, that 18 Ghanaian traders – specifically 10 men and eight women – were caught in the assault. Eyewitness accounts indicated that attackers forced women off the trucks before opening fire indiscriminately.

The violence led to several individuals, including drivers, dying instantly, with the trucks subsequently set ablaze, leaving bodies burnt beyond recognition.

The severity of the burns necessitated DNA sample collection by Burkinabe authorities to enable proper forensic identification, with the remains having since been buried with the consent of the Ghanaian government.

In his appeal, Mr. Mubarak underscored the profound anguish caused to grieving families by the circulation of footage depicting burnt bodies.

"Sharing footage of burnt bodies is not only insensitive but also adds to their trauma. I plead with everyone to stop circulating these images and put themselves in the shoes of the grieving families," he stated, highlighting that not all families had yet been formally informed of the tragedy.

Ghanaian government agencies, including its diplomatic mission, are collaborating closely with Burkinabe authorities to identify victims, notify families, and provide comprehensive assistance to survivors.

Among those who managed to escape, three men and one woman sustained serious burns and are currently receiving treatment, while seven other women are reported to be in stable condition.

Plans are actively underway to transfer the injured survivors to Ouagadougou, where Ghanaian officials will coordinate their medical care and eventual repatriation.

Efforts are also ongoing to account for all affected individuals and offer support to the bereaved families, emphasizing the need for compassion and respect throughout this difficult identification process.

The incident has sparked strong reactions and calls for enhanced security measures within Ghana and the wider West African region. Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Committee, described the attack as deeply disturbing.

He urged Ghana’s national security authorities to intensify efforts in protecting citizens and strengthening regional security cooperation, characterizing the event as a critical "wake-up call" for the nation's security leadership.

Mr. Jinapor emphasized the growing threat of terrorism in the sub-region, particularly in neighbouring Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, and stressed the need for Ghana to reinforce intelligence gathering, border security, and collaboration with regional partners to prevent spillover.

Echoing these sentiments, Michael Okyere Baafi, the Member of Parliament for New Juaben South and Ranking Member on Parliament’s Trade, Industry and Tourism Committee, vehemently condemned the attack.

Mr. Baafi criticized the administration for what he perceived as a failure to adequately safeguard Ghanaian citizens involved in cross-border trade, alleging incompetence in anticipating risks and an absence of timely travel advisories, enhanced border patrols, or coordinated evacuation efforts for traders frequently using the Burkina Faso route.

He labelled this as "dereliction of duty that borders on criminal negligence." Demanding an immediate parliamentary inquiry into the circumstances, compensation for victims' families, and a comprehensive review of regional security protocols, Mr. Baafi underscored the vital role of tomato traders in Ghana’s agricultural value chain and export economy, asserting they had been left exposed despite known security challenges in the Sahel.

This tragic event starkly highlights the escalating security risks along vital trade routes in the Sahel region, where Ghanaian traders routinely venture to procure agricultural produce for domestic distribution.

The government’s ongoing discussions with Burkina Faso authorities aim to ensure the safe evacuation and repatriation of surviving victims, while the broader implications necessitate a robust and coordinated regional response to safeguard lives and livelihoods.