Former Minister of Defence Dominic Nitiwul has attributed the recent terrorist attack on Ghanaian tomato traders in Burkina Faso to what he perceives as the government’s approach toward Burkina Faso’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.

The Bimbilla MP noted that during previous peaks of terrorist activity in Burkina Faso, Ghanaians were generally not targeted.

In an interview with Citi News on February 18, 2026, Nitiwul questioned the decision to invite Captain Traoré to President John Dramani Mahama’s swearing-in ceremony, suggesting that it may have inadvertently sent the wrong signal amid ongoing regional security concerns.

President Mahama receives loud cheers from Burkinabes upon meeting Captain Traoré

“The attackers knew these were Ghanaians, so why did they go ahead to attack them? They knew this was a Ghanaian-registered vehicle; they knew they were speaking English.

“During the period of 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, this was the time that terrorism was high in Burkina Faso, Ghanaians were going there but they never attacked them. In fact when they saw that you are a Ghanaian, they allowed you to pass. Why are they attacking Ghanaians now?

“I think we are beginning to create enemies for ourselves. Why did we invite Captain Traoré for the swearing-in when he was a coup maker? The man is fighting terrorism on our border. He is fighting people who could target us. What was the use? Why were we cheering him?” he questioned.

Nitiwul also called on the government to reevaluate its foreign relations strategy.

The Ghanaian government on February 15, 2026, confirmed that a truck carrying tomato traders from Ghana was attacked in northern Burkina Faso.

According to reports from Burkina Faso, the incident occurred on February 14, 2026, as the traders passed through the town of Titao.

Meanwhile, watch GhanaWeb’s exposé on the 'dark side of Kayamata' and its devastating impact



AK/AM