A tragic attack in Titao, a town in northern Burkina Faso, has left seven Ghanaian tomato traders dead, with one woman still missing following the incident.
The attack occurred on Saturday, February 14, 2026, when suspected Islamic insurgents reportedly stormed the area where traders had gathered to purchase tomatoes.
Ghana’s Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, confirmed that 18 Ghanaian traders had travelled into Burkina Faso to buy tomatoes when the insurgents struck.
According to the Minister, seven Ghanaian traders were killed, while three men and one woman sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment. Seven other women managed to escape unharmed.
However, the family of a trader from Koforidua, identified as Patience Nyarko, popularly known as “Yaa Yaa,” says she is yet to be accounted for.
The family remains uncertain whether she was killed during the attack or escaped into hiding. They disclosed that they have received information suggesting that some traders managed to flee during the chaos, but they do not know if Yaa Yaa was among them.
Although her name is not listed among the confirmed dead, and she is also not among those who escaped unharmed, her whereabouts remain unknown.
The family described Yaa Yaa as a well-known and hardworking tomato trader at the Koforidua Market, noted for her generosity and support to other traders. They said she often supplied tomatoes on credit, especially to women, to help them provide for their children.
As the search continues, the family says they are holding onto hope and praying that she will be found alive.
Story: Nyamebeye Kofi Ansah Sasraku