Ghana is seeking to deepen trade ties with Burkina Faso and resolve disruptions to tomato supply chain, as officials from both countries met on the sidelines of the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé.
Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare held talks with Burkina Faso’s ambassador and delegation, focusing on boosting bilateral trade volumes, improving market access and addressing security concerns affecting cross-border commerce.
Ofosu-Adjare said stronger trade flows between Ghana and Burkina Faso are critical for economic growth, job creation and wealth generation, and called for targeted measures to expand volumes. She invited Burkina Faso to submit a list of its top ten imports to help Ghanaian businesses identify competitive supply opportunities.
The minister also pointed to Burkina Faso’s strength in agricultural production, particularly tomatoes and onions, and proposed closer collaboration to share best practices and improve productivity in both countries.
The discussions come as Ghana grapples with supply constraints following Burkina Faso’s indefinite suspension of fresh tomato exports. Ghana relies on Burkina Faso for about 70% to 80% of tomato imports, valued at roughly $400 million annually, making the restriction a significant shock to its food supply chain and prices.
Ofosu-Adjare noted that recent insecurity in parts of Burkina Faso has further disrupted cross-border trade, urging coordinated action to ensure the safety of Ghanaian traders operating in the country.
In response, the Burkinabè delegation said the export suspension is intended to secure raw materials for newly established domestic tomato processing factories, part of a broader strategy to shift from exporting raw commodities to value-added industrial production.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining strong bilateral relations and agreed to pursue deeper cooperation in trade expansion, agricultural development and trader security. Ghana also plans to invite between 20 and 50 Burkinabè traders to explore business opportunities in the coming months.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to continue high-level engagement to resolve trade challenges and unlock new areas of cooperation.
