Convention People's Party Condemns Killing of Ghanaian Traders in Burkina Faso, Demands Government Action

The Convention People’s Party (CPP) has strongly condemned the killing of eight Ghanaian traders in Burkina Faso and is demanding urgent answers and action from the Government of Ghana.

In a press statement signed by its National Communications Director, Comrade Osei Kofi Acquah, the party described the attack as unacceptable and criticised what it considers an inadequate response from the government so far.

According to the CPP, while it expected a detailed briefing from President Nana Akufo-Addo—who is also Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces—Ghanaians have only received a message of condolences and a travel caution regarding Burkina Faso.

The party said it finds the response “unacceptable and unsatisfactory,” arguing that the lives of Ghanaian citizens must be treated with greater urgency and seriousness.

The CPP is calling on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ghana’s diplomatic representatives in the Sahel region to provide a “blow-by-blow account” of the incident. 

The party is also demanding disclosure of the nationality of the perpetrators and clarification on whether Ghanaian nationals are being specifically targeted by extremist groups operating in the region.

Additionally, the CPP questioned whether the government of Burkina Faso is capable of protecting Ghanaian lives and property within its territory, noting that Ghana provides security protection to Burkinabè nationals residing in Ghana.

The party further called for assurances regarding the readiness of Ghana’s security forces to safeguard citizens both at home and abroad.

The CPP compared the incident to the 2005 killings of dozens of Ghanaians in The Gambia under former leader Yahya Jammeh. 

The party suggested that Ghana’s response at the time largely focused on negotiated compensation was insufficient and warned against a repeat of what it described as a weak diplomatic reaction.

The party is demanding a formal apology from the government of Burkina Faso, led by Ibrahim Traoré, as well as clear measures to guarantee the protection of Ghanaian citizens in the country.

The CPP indicated that failure by the Ghanaian government to provide satisfactory answers and action could lead to picketing at both the Burkina Faso Embassy in Ghana and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The party stressed that the right to life is enshrined in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana and maintained that it is the responsibility of the government to protect every Ghanaian citizen.