Accra: President John Dramani Mahama has convened an urgent high-level meeting with security chiefs and foreign affairs officials following the killing of seven Ghanaian traders in a terrorist attack at Titao in Burkina Faso.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, the Minister for the Interior, disclosed during an interview that the President's intervention underscores the need for enhanced regional cooperation to address escalating insecurity in some parts of West Africa. The attack, which occurred on Saturday, February 14, 2026, targeted a group of Ghanaian tomato traders travelling in a truck to purchase produce in Burkina Faso.
Seven Ghanaian men were killed, and three others injured when suspected jihadists stormed the town, separated the men from the women, and opened fire before setting the vehicle ablaze. Describing the broader implications of the incident, the Interior Minister stated that the President had earlier recognized the transnational nature of the threat and the need for collective action.
Mr. Mohammed-Mubarak revealed that only weeks ago, regional consultations were held in Accra involving security heads and foreign ministers from countries including Mali, Liberia, and Ghana, to strengthen intelligence sharing and joint responses to extremist violence. He noted that no single country in the sub-region could tackle the threat alone.
The Minister highlighted that the deteriorating security situation in parts of Burkina Faso and neighboring Sahel countries posed risks not only to local populations but also to traders and migrants who rely on cross-border movement for their livelihoods. Attacks by extremist groups in northern Burkina Faso have increased in frequency and intensity, leading to significant civilian casualties and displacement.
The government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of Ghanaian nationals abroad while working with regional partners under ECOWAS frameworks to address the root causes of violent extremism. Mr. Mohammed-Mubarak assured the public that the government would continue engaging Burkina Faso authorities to support affected families and secure the safe evacuation of survivors.