Kwesi Pratt Alleges Ukraine Supplied Weapons to Terrorists Behind Killing of Ghanaian Traders in Burkina Faso
A senior Ghanaian media personality has sparked strong reactions with claims linking foreign involvement to the deadly attack that killed Ghanaian tomato traders in Burkina Faso.
Veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr, Managing Editor of The Insight newspaper, has alleged that Ukraine supplied weapons or support to the extremist fighters responsible for the ambush on a group of Ghanaian traders near Titao in northern Burkina Faso. According to Pratt, he claims intelligence from sources connected to Ukraine confirms this involvement a claim that, if true, would have serious implications for Ghana’s diplomatic relations and national security.
Pratt made the remarks during a television interview, arguing that any external country providing arms to militants operating in West Africa should be seen as an adversary to Ghana. He suggested that such interference in the region’s ongoing conflict threatens the safety of Ghanaian citizens, especially those involved in cross-border business.
The comments come in the wake of a tragic incident in February 2026, when a group of Ghanaian tomato traders were ambushed by armed fighters while travelling to a market in Burkina Faso. At least eight Ghanaians were killed, and several others were injured in the attack, prompting national shock and concern over the safety of traders who travel to volatile regions for their livelihoods.
Following the attack, the Ghanaian government moved quickly to respond, activating additional defence forward operating bases along the northern border, increasing deployment of military and police attachés to neighbouring countries, and stepping up cooperation with regional security partners to enhance protection for citizens in border areas. Officials from the Ministry of Defence have reiterated that the safety of Ghanaian traders remains a top priority, and work continues with Burkina Faso and other Sahel states to prevent a repeat of such violence.
Despite Pratt’s allegations, no independent verification has emerged to confirm that Ukraine supplied weapons to the extremists responsible for the ambush. Most regional and international reporting on the incident attributes the attack to longstanding extremist outfits that have been active for years in parts of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger groups that have exploited weak governance and insecurity across the Sahel region.
Experts on West African security have emphasised that the Sahel has been troubled by armed groups and insurgencies for much of the past decade, driven largely by local grievances, political instability, and extremist mobilisation rather than the direct involvement of distant states. They stress the need for strengthened regional cooperation to address underlying causes of insecurity and protect civilians in affected communities.
Ghanaian traders and civil society organisations have also weighed in, urging the government to take concrete steps to ensure safer trade corridors and better intelligence sharing with neighbouring countries. Many pointed out that traders often travel to volatile areas out of economic necessity, making them especially vulnerable to attacks.
Meanwhile, some Members of Parliament have used the incident to call for a review of Ghana’s foreign and security policy, arguing that the government must do more to safeguard Ghanaian lives abroad and push for stronger justice mechanisms against cross-border violence.
Although Pratt’s claims have stirred debate, officials and analysts continue to emphasise verifiable facts while cautioning against unconfirmed assertions that could inflame diplomatic tensions.
As Ghana continues to seek solutions, the deaths of the tomato traders remain a stark reminder of the dangers faced by citizens working across borders and the urgent need for effective regional security strategies that protect lives and livelihoods.
“The terrorists who k!lled the Ghanaians who were going to buy tomatoes were supplied by Ukraine, and this is not a rumor.” – Kwesi Pratt Jnr, journalist and the managing editor at the Insight newspaper pic.twitter.com/tV4rrlsDGI
— EDHUB🌍ℹ (@eddie_wrt) February 25, 2026
Source: Thepressradio.com
