Tomato traders in Dormaa Ahenkro in the Bono Region say their livelihoods are under serious threat following Burkina Faso’s decision to ban tomato exports to neighbouring countries, including Ghana.
In an interview with Kwaku Mensah Abrampa, several traders described the situation as dire, noting that the tomato business is their main—if not only—source of income. They warned that if the situation persists, it will not only cripple their businesses but also affect consumers nationwide.
To ease the pressure, the traders are calling on the Government of Ghana and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to step in with practical support for local farmers.
According to them, boosting domestic tomato production is the most sustainable way to keep their businesses afloat and avoid possible food shortages.
Their concerns come at a time when some market vendors are still struggling to adjust to a recent relocation.
The traders were moved to an area near NAB1 Park to make way for the construction of a proposed 24-hour economy model market at the Dormaa Ahenkro Tuesday Market.
However, the decision to split traders between the original market site and the new NAB1 Park location has left many confused and frustrated. They say the arrangement has reduced customer flow and disrupted their sales.
The affected traders are now appealing to the Municipal Assembly to move all vendors to one location—preferably NAB1 Park—to ensure fairness and improve business conditions.
They caution that if the situation is not resolved soon, they may be forced to return to their former trading spots, insisting that the current setup is not viable for their businesses.