Ghana, in the event of a strained relationship with Burkina Faso, risks losing majority of tomato in its market space.

According to GhStat on Twitter, Ghana imports about 84 per cent of its tomato from Burkina Faso.

In October 2022, trade data from the Ghana Vegetable Producers and Exporters Association (Ghana Vegetables) indicated that annual tomato import from neighbouring Burkina Faso has hit a staggering US$400million from an estimated US$99.5million in 2018.

As of then, Ghana imported 90 percent of its fresh tomato from Burkina Faso.

But recent happenings in the West African sub- region threatens the trade deal between Ghana and Burkina Faso. The ongoing coup in Niger could affect how Ghana and Burkina Faso relate.

ECOWAS, comprising 15-member states of which Ghana and Burkina Faso belong on Sunday imposed sanctions including travel ban and a blockade on Niger pending the reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum who was ousted by the military on 26 July.

It also threatened the use of force and summoned defense chiefs of the sub-region.

But the transitional governments of Burkina Faso and Mali have expressed their solidarity with the people of Niger.

Both Burkina Faso and Mali have condemned the persistent imposition of sanctions by regional organizations, expressing their concerns that these measures could exacerbate the suffering of their populations and undermine the spirit of pan-Africanism.

The governments have firmly rejected the application of these deemed illegal and inhumane sanctions against Niger and have issued strong warnings that any military intervention against Niger would be construed as a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali.

Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel OUEDRAOGO, the Minister of State, Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, Government Spokesperson, and Knight of the Order of Merit, Arts, Letters, and Communication, issued the communique on behalf of Mali. Colonel Abdoulaye MAIGA, the Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts, and Tourism, Government Spokesperson, and Knight of the National Order, delivered the statement on behalf of Burkina Faso.

Stressing the potentially dire ramifications of a military intervention in Niger, the governments drew parallels with the aftermath of NATO's unilateral action in Libya, which ultimately led to the proliferation of terrorism in the Sahel and West Africa.

The Transitional Governments of Burkina Faso and Mali expressed their dismay at the divergence between certain political leaders' eagerness to resort to armed forces to restore order in Niger and the lack of action from organizations and political figures in supporting states and populations that have been victims of terrorism for years.

In an appeal for solidarity, the governments called upon the united forces to stand prepared and mobilized to provide support to the people of Niger during these challenging times for the cause of Pan-Africanism.

Should ECOWAS go by its words, there is the possibility that Burkina Faso led by Interim President Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, could revoke its deal with Ghana as a response.