James Agalga, Chairman of Parliament’s Interior and Defence Committee and a former Minister for the Interior, has called for strengthened regional cooperation following the killing of eight Ghanaian traders in Burkina Faso.

The traders were reportedly attacked and killed by unknown terrorists in Burkina Faso, in an incident that has sent shockwaves across Ghana and reignited concerns about cross-border security.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Mr Agalga stressed the urgent need for enhanced collaboration between Ghana and Burkina Faso to combat terrorism and protect citizens engaged in cross-border trade.

He noted that violent extremism in the Sahel continues to pose a significant threat to neighboring countries, including Ghana.

The tragic incident has also sparked a heated debate in Parliament.

Members of the Minority caucus blamed the government for what they described as weak diplomatic engagement with Burkina Faso. They argued that Ghana’s relationship with its northern neighbor has been complicated by the current military regime in Burkina Faso, which they described as illegitimate.

According to the Minority, the nature of the regime in Ouagadougou has strained diplomatic ties and may be undermining effective security cooperation between the two countries. They called on the government to reassess its diplomatic approach to ensure the safety of Ghanaian nationals living and doing business abroad.

However, Mr Agalga emphasised that regardless of political developments in Burkina Faso, Ghana must prioritise practical security cooperation to address the shared threat of terrorism.

He underscored the importance of intelligence sharing, joint security operations, and sustained diplomatic engagement to prevent further attacks.

The killing of the eight traders has heightened public concern about the safety of Ghanaians operating in conflict-prone areas within the sub-region, with calls mounting for decisive government action to safeguard lives and strengthen border security.

Authorities are yet to provide full details of the attack, but security agencies are said to be monitoring developments closely as diplomatic efforts continue between the two neighbouring countries.

Meanwhile, a Member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Charles Owiredu, has pushed back against comments made by James Agalga regarding the recent diplomatic tensions between Ghana and Burkina Faso.

Mr Owiredu, in a rebuttal dismissed suggestions that former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s remarks contributed to a diplomatic rift between the two neighbouring countries. 

He argued that claims made by Mr Agalga were misleading and failed to reflect the full context of the former president’s comments.

According to the NPP lawmaker, the former president’s statements were taken out of context and did not in any way undermine Ghana’s diplomatic relations with Burkina Faso.