Ongoing disturbances in Togo are beginning to weigh heavily on cross-border trade between Ghana and its eastern neighbour, as traders express hesitation in traveling to the country due to safety concerns.
Reports reaching The High Street Journal indicate that the usually vibrant Aflao border has seen significantly reduced human and vehicular traffic over the past week. An immigration officer who spoke anonymously confirmed, “The border is not busy as it used to be.”
The disturbances, stemming from recent political tensions and civil agitations in Togo, have sparked widespread uncertainty in the country’s major trading towns, including Lomé, a key commercial hub for Ghanaian traders. Many of these traders cross the border daily to purchase goods ranging from rice, cooking oil, cosmetics, electronic appliances, used clothing, and household wares for resale in Ghanaian markets.
Reaching out to a business entrepreneur dealing in electrical appliances explained that the disturbances not only delay supply but also increase transport costs as drivers demand higher fares to compensate for potential risks. This, she said, will eventually reflect in consumer prices.
Economists warn that prolonged instability in Togo could further worsen Ghana’s inflation outlook, particularly as imported consumer goods from Togo form part of urban market supplies.
For border communities like Aflao, Denu, and Dzodze, the downturn in trade is also impacting local micro-economies. Transport operators, food vendors, and porters who depend on daily market activity at the border are recording lower incomes.
Togo remains a critical trade partner for Ghana within the ECOWAS trade corridor, serving as a transit hub for goods coming in from Benin and Nigeria. The current unrest risks disrupting the seamless flow of such regional trade.
Authorities in Ghana are monitoring the situation closely, with immigration officials tightening security protocols while ensuring that genuine travellers are processed efficiently. However, traders say unless peace is restored swiftly, the ripple effect will be felt in Ghanaian markets through shortages and higher prices for goods sourced from Togo.
As of Wednesday morning, border traffic remained light, with only a few private vehicles and cargo trucks observed crossing.
Traders are calling on ECOWAS and Togolese authorities to restore calm to safeguard livelihoods on both sides of the frontier.
