The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the killing of Ghanaian tomato traders in Burkina Faso, describing it as a despicable horror.
According to a statement, the victims were members of the Ghana National Tomatoes Traders and Transporters Association.
They were reportedly engaged in their routine cross-border trade when their convoy was intercepted by armed insurgents in the northern province of Burkina Faso.
“This is a despicable horror,” a government spokesperson stated, echoing the sentiments of a president who has recently championed a “collective approach” to regional security. “It must remind us of the urgent need for a new regional security framework that Ghana has consistently called for.”
Earlier reports had revealed that there were seven fatalities on the scene.
However, the death toll rose to eight early this morning after one of four critically injured traders succumbed to their wounds while receiving treatment in Burkina Faso.
President John Dramani Mahama has since expressed his “profound commiserations” to the bereaved families.
The statement added that as of Tuesday, February 17, 2016, the Ghana Air Force has been deployed to carry out a high-stakes medical evacuation.
The surviving victims, some of whom remain in critical condition, are expected to touch down at the Air Force Base in Accra later today to receive specialised care at the 37 Military Hospital.
”The safety and well-being of Ghanaians remain our utmost priority,” the Ministry noted, adding that Ghana’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso is in direct contact with the injured.
In response to the deteriorating security situation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a travel advisory for all “high-risk areas” within the sub-region.
Under the new guidelines, citizens planning essential trips to volatile zones are now required to first clear their itineraries with the Ministry or accredited embassies for necessary guidance.
For those Ghanaians currently living in jurisdictions where extremist attacks have occurred, the government recommends that movement be strictly restricted and that regular communication be maintained with local diplomatic missions.
To support these efforts, all Ghanaian high commissions in the region have been placed on “high consular alert”, with officials emphasising the need for citizens to keep identification documents accessible at all times to expedite emergency assistance.
Below is the full statement.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
