There is growing pressure from Agbogbloshie Market traders in Accra on the government to boost domestic tomato production. The call comes with rising costs that are dampening consumer demand. Tomatoes, which used to sell at GH¢18 and GH¢22, are now selling at GH¢32, GH¢38, and even GH¢40.

Addressing the media on Monday, March 30, a trader at Agbogbloshie Market attributed the price increase to the export restrictions imposed by Burkina Faso.Burkina government, in a formal communique dated March 16, and signed by both the Trades and Agriculture ministers of the Francophone country, announced that a ban has become necessary to feed the country’s national processing units.

This sparked widespread concerns about its potential to worsen Ghana's tomato supply crisis, as Ghana imports approximately 70-80% of its tomatoes from Burkina Faso, worth about $400 million annually.

Consequently, the Government of Ghana has announced plans to engage authorities in Burkina Faso, given the potency of its impact on supply in the Ghanaian market.

In a statement shared on Friday, March 20, the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry said the engagement will focus on resolving concerns surrounding the ban while exploring a mutually beneficial outcome for both countries.

It said, “The engagement will focus on resolving concerns surrounding the ban while exploring a mutually beneficial outcome for both countries, given the longstanding trade ties and Ghana’s reliance on tomato imports from Burkina Faso”.

The government also continued that, “The government reiterates its commitment to working with stakeholders to boost local tomato production under the ‘Feed Ghana’ and ‘Feed the Industry’ programmes, aimed at increasing output to meet demand on the domestic market”.

The Ministry also urged tomato traders and the general public to remain calm while it makes an effort to reach an amicable resolution to restore normal trade flows between the two countries.

Statement on the baon export by the Burkina Faso govt

Also, the Burkina government says the issuance of Special Export Authorisations (ASE) has also been suspended. The Special Export Authorisations (ASE) are official permits issued by the government that allow traders to export certain goods,

“Economic operators and the public are hereby informed that, to ensure the supply of national processing plants, the export of fresh tomatoes is suspended throughout the national territory until further notice. Consequently, the issuance of Special Export Authorisations (ASE) is suspended.

The letter also stated that operators holding valid fresh tomato export permits have two (2) weeks from the date of signature of the communiqué to complete their export procedures. After two weeks, the permit will be considered invalid.

“Economic operators holding valid fresh tomato export authorisations have two (2) weeks from the date of signature of this communiqué to complete their export procedures. After this period, the authorisation will be considered invalid”, the statement continued.

The Burkinabé government warned that any violator of the directive will be sanctioned in accordance with applicable regulations.

“Furthermore, any goods seized in violation of this measure will be returned, free of charge, to the fresh tomato processing plants established under the popular shareholding scheme,” the letter translated to English noted.

It continued that, “The Government is counting on the understanding and cooperation of all stakeholders in the tomato sector, as well as all state technical services, particularly border control services and security forces, to ensure the proper implementation of the terms of this communiqué”.

Kumasi vendors express frustration

The impact of the ban is being felt well before any formal shortage sets in.

Some tomato vendors at the Racecourse Market in Kumasi are already expressing frustration over the development, warning that prices could spike if the situation is not quickly addressed.

The vendors are using the occasion to call on the government to prioritise the local tomato industry by revamping irrigation systems and investing in local processing facilities, longstanding concerns that have left Ghana’s tomato sector heavily dependent on imports from neighbouring countries, particularly Burkina Faso.

Ghana has historically relied on cross-border produce flows from Burkina Faso to supplement domestic tomato supply, especially during lean seasons when local harvests are insufficient to meet demand.

A sudden and indefinite halt to those exports is therefore expected to tighten supply significantly, with knock-on effects on prices at markets nationwide.

Northern Ghana, which serves as the main corridor for produce trade with Burkina Faso, is expected to feel the shortage most acutely in the short term.

Before this ban, Ghana was hit with the sad news of a fatal terrorist attack on tomato traders in mid-February.

A truck carrying Ghanaian tomato traders was attacked by terrorists in Titao, Burkina Faso, on Sunday, February, 15. This was contained in a press release issued to media houses and signed by the Minister for the Interior and National Security, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak.

In a joint statement issued in Ouagadougou on Thursday, March 19, the Burkinabè government announced an immediate nationwide halt to tomato exports “until further notice,” explaining that the move is intended to prioritise domestic supply for local processing industries.

The directive, signed by the country’s trade and agriculture ministries, also suspends the issuance of Special Export Authorisations (ASE), effectively shutting down formal export channels for tomatoes.

Traders with existing permits have been granted a two-week window to complete ongoing transactions, after which all authorisations will be revoked. The government warned that any breach of the directive would attract sanctions under existing laws, adding that seized consignments would be redirected to local processing factories to support domestic agro-industrial production.

Ghana and Burkina Faso has since shared a long border. Burkina Faso remains deeply affected by insurgent violence, with cross-border implications for neighboring countries like Ghana.

Northern Burkina Faso has faced persistent insecurity due to jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS. Attacks often target military posts, civilians, and traders moving across borders, disrupting local economies and cross-border trade.

Burkina Faso remains deeply affected by insurgent violence, with cross-border implications for neighboring countries like Ghana. In 2025, Burkina Faso’s military government’s banned grain and cereal exports.

To demonstrate their commitment, Burkinabe authorities have agreed to lift restrictions on 23 trucks carrying beans that were previously seized. Additional shipments of cereals meant for Ghana are also expected to be released in the coming days.

Ghana, which depends on imports from Burkina Faso, had faced concerns over possible supply shortages and rising prices due to the ban.

However, after President Mahama’s diplomatic engagements in the AES region, Gbevlo-Lartey is confident that relations between both countries have been strengthened.

During an interview with Blessed Sogah on Connect Africa, he explained: “President Mahama has successfully addressed the situation, and further discussions between key stakeholders from both sides will ensure a concrete resolution. The issue is largely settled. For instance, 23 trucks that had been held up have been released, and the Burkinabe authorities have assured President Mahama that the remaining eight will also be let through shortly.”

Meanwhile, on January 29, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) confirmed that Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger had officially exited the bloc after the end of their six-month grace period due to diplomatic tensions after military takeovers and due to economic and social failures by past governments.

The military juntas of these countries are led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, General Assimi Goïta, and General Abdourahmane Tchiani, respectively.The trio accused the ECOWAS of failing to safeguard member states and deviating from founding principles and Pan-African spirit.

In response to these claims, ECOWAS revealed that it did not receive formal notice before their withdrawal; therefore, it called for a dialogue to address their concerns. "The ECOWAS Commission remains seized with the development and shall make further pronouncements as the situation evolves," it added.

President John Dramani Mahama extended invitations to the military leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to participate in the official launch of ECOWAS’s 50th anniversary celebrations, which took place in Accra on April 22.

The invitation to the Sahelian states was part of Ghana’s broader efforts to rebuild relations and enhance cooperation for a stable and united West African region.International Relations Analyst Dr. Yaw Gebe endorsed President John Dramani Mahama’s decision, describing the gesture as a positive step toward regional reconciliation.

He, however, advised the ECOWAS to critically reflect on the underlying reasons behind the exit of the Sahel nations and emphasised the need for the bloc to adopt a more inclusive and problem-solving approach going forward.

“My prayer and longing is that whatever the Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu or President John Mahama are doing, they should be conscious of the problems or challenges these countries are facing. The ECOWAS must be willing and ready to tackle those problems collectively. And that is a major shortcoming on the part of ECOWAS,” he said.

Despite the formal withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on January 29, citizens from these countries will still be able to use their national passports and identity cards bearing the ECOWAS logo for travel within the region.

ECOWAS has assured that in the interest of regional cooperation and to prevent unnecessary disruptions, all relevant authorities within and outside the bloc’s member states should continue to recognize these travel documents until further notice.

Additionally, trade and economic activities involving these three nations will not face immediate restrictions. Goods and services from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger will continue to receive the same treatment under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and investment policy.

Citizens from the affected countries will also retain their right to visa-free movement, residence, and establishment across ECOWAS states, ensuring that travel and cross-border activities remain unhindered.

Furthermore, officials from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger working within ECOWAS will be given full support and cooperation in carrying out their assignments.These measures will remain in place as ECOWAS leaders work on defining the future relationship between the bloc and the three nations.

A special structure has been put in place to facilitate discussions on the next steps. The regional body emphasized that these transitional arrangements aim to maintain stability, minimize confusion, and support the people and businesses affected by the withdrawal.