The Chairman of Parliament’s Interior and Defence Committee, James Agalga, has called for enhanced regional security cooperation following the killing of eight Ghanaian traders in Burkina Faso.

The traders were reportedly attacked by suspected terrorists in Burkina Faso in an incident that has sent shockwaves across Ghana and renewed concerns over cross-border security within the sub-region.

Addressing Parliament, Mr. Agalga, a former Minister for the Interior, stressed the urgent need for deeper collaboration between Ghana and Burkina Faso to combat terrorism and protect citizens engaged in cross-border trade.

He warned that the growing threat of violent extremism in the Sahel continues to endanger neighbouring countries, including Ghana.

According to him, practical security measures such as intelligence sharing, joint operations, and sustained diplomatic engagement are critical to preventing further attacks. He maintained that Ghana must prioritise security cooperation with Burkina Faso regardless of the political situation in Ouagadougou.

The tragic incident sparked heated debate in the House, with members of the Minority caucus blaming the government for what they described as weak diplomatic engagement with Burkina Faso. They argued that Ghana’s relationship with its northern neighbour has been complicated by the current military regime, which they labelled illegitimate.

The Minority further contended that strained diplomatic ties could undermine effective security coordination and called on the government to reassess its diplomatic approach to better safeguard Ghanaian nationals living and working abroad.

However, a Member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Charles Owiredu, rejected assertions that previous remarks by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo contributed to any diplomatic rift between Ghana and Burkina Faso.

Hon. Owiredu dismissed claims made by Mr. Agalga as misleading, insisting that the former President’s comments had been taken out of context and did not undermine Ghana’s diplomatic relations with its neighbour.

Meanwhile, public concern continues to mount over the safety of Ghanaians operating in conflict-prone areas across the sub-region. Authorities have yet to release full details of the attack, but security agencies are reportedly monitoring developments closely as diplomatic engagements between the two countries continue