Ghana and Burkina Faso have reaffirmed the strength and resilience of their bilateral relationship amid ongoing challenges in tomato exports.

Both countries underscored the importance of sustained and constructive dialogue in addressing emerging issues and committed to deepening cooperation in key areas, including trade expansion, improved market access, trader security, and agricultural development.

The renewed commitment was reached during a bilateral meeting between delegations of the two countries on the sidelines of the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) held in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

The Ghanaian delegation was led by the Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare. In attendance were the Chairman and Ranking Member of Ghana’s Parliamentary Select Committee on Trade and Tourism,  Alexander Roosevelt Hottordze as well as representatives from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) from both countries.

Speaking at the meeting, Mrs Ofosu-Adjare acknowledged the longstanding and fraternal relations between Ghana and Burkina Faso, underscoring the critical role of bilateral trade in driving economic development, creating employment opportunities, and generating wealth for both nations. 

She highlighted existing trade data and called for concerted measures to significantly enhance trade volumes between the two countries.

She invited the Burkinabè side to submit a list of their top ten imports, with a view to exploring opportunities for Ghanaian businesses to supply these products competitively. 

The minister also commended Burkina Faso’s expertise in agricultural production — particularly in tomatoes and onions — and expressed Ghana’s interest in learning from their good agricultural practices. 

She called for deeper collaboration in the agricultural sector to promote knowledge exchange and mutual growth.

The minister further mentioned that recent insecurity in parts of Burkina Faso has disrupted cross-border trading activities. She stressed the urgent need for joint measures to ensure the safety and security of Ghanaian traders operating in the region.

On the issue of Burkina Faso’s indefinite suspension of fresh tomato exports, the Minister observed that Ghana sources approximately 70–80 per cent of its tomatoes from Burkina Faso, with an annual import value of roughly $400 million. 

She acknowledged the significant challenges this policy poses to Ghana’s tomato supply chain and called for a mutually beneficial resolution that addresses the concerns of both countries.

In her closing remarks, the Honourable Minister announced that in the coming months, she will invite between 20 to 50 Burkinabè traders and business operators to Ghana to explore trade and business opportunities in relevant sectors and products.

Regarding the tomato export suspension, the Burkinabè side explained that the policy seeks to ensure adequate raw material supply for the country’s newly established tomato processing factories. This represents a strategic shift towards domestic value addition and industrialization, moving away from the export of raw commodities.

The meeting concluded with a mutual pledge to explore concrete opportunities for increased trade and to resolve any future concerns through continued high-level diplomatic engagement.