The Government of Ghana has confirmed that the death toll from the jihadist attack on Ghanaian tomato traders in Titao, northern Burkina Faso, has risen to eight following the passing of an injured victim who had been receiving treatment.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that seven members of the Ghana National Tomatoes Traders and Transporters Association were initially killed while engaging in legitimate trading activities in the area on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
Another victim who sustained serious injuries during the assault later succumbed to their wounds, bringing the total number of Ghanaian fatalities to eight. All the victims were part of a group targeted in the attack, which was claimed by the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group JNIM, amid a surge in extremist violence in the region.
President John Dramani Mahama and the Government of Ghana have expressed profound condolences to the bereaved families and loved ones of the victims. The government strongly condemned the incident as a “senseless act of terror” and extended solidarity to the Government and people of Burkina Faso during this challenging period.
The statement highlighted that the tragedy reinforces the urgent need for a renewed collective approach to regional security, a stance Ghana has long advocated, including at the High-Level Consultative Conference on Regional Cooperation and Security hosted by President Mahama last month.
On the President’s instructions and following medical consultations, the government has activated the immediate air evacuation of all affected Ghanaian nationals still in Burkina Faso. The Ghana Air Force is conducting the medical evacuation operation, with the injured expected to arrive in Ghana later today.
Ghana’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso and embassy staff are on the ground, closely managing the situation and maintaining direct contact with affected citizens. The government acknowledged the cooperation of Burkinabe authorities in granting necessary approvals for the evacuation and related interventions.
In light of the incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued updated travel guidelines for Ghanaians traveling within the sub-region, with particular emphasis on high-risk areas. Citizens planning essential trips to affected zones are strongly advised to contact the Ministry or Ghana’s accredited embassies for guidance prior to departure.
For those already residing in areas with recorded violent extremist incidents, the advisory urges limiting movements, maintaining regular contact with Ghanaian embassies, providing emergency contact details, and keeping identification documents accessible to enable swift consular assistance if required.
The government assured the public that it is closely monitoring developments and remains in constant communication with relevant authorities to protect the welfare of Ghanaian citizens abroad. It reiterated that the safety, security, and well-being of Ghanaians remain its utmost priority, with further updates to be provided as necessary.
