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0 A Security analyst and researcher, Paul Boateng, is calling on the government to provide security advice for Ghanaian traders, especially those traveling to neighboring countries for business.
His advice comes after eight Ghanaian tomato traders were killed when Islamist insurgents attacked Titao, a town in northern Burkina Faso, on Saturday, February 14.
The victims were part of a group of 18 traders who had gone to Burkina Faso to buy tomatoes when the militants stormed the town, separating men from women before opening fire.
In an interview with Barima Kofi Dawson on “Kro Yi Mu Nsem,” Mr Boateng stressed the importance of traders being informed about potential security threats and taking proactive measures to ensure their safety before embarking on journeys, especially to high-risk areas.
“Every time traders plan to travel, they should consult with security experts who can provide on-the-ground intelligence and analysis to identify potential risks and recommend proactive measures to ensure their safety,” he said.
He acknowledged that implementing this measure may incur costs but believes it is a necessary investment to protect traders and anyone traveling to other countries, especially neighboring nations.
“If we have people with security expertise, they can identify patterns and anticipate when terrorists might strike for their rituals, then we can alert our traders and advise them and prevent attacks,” he said.
Mr. Boateng also revealed that some traders may have unintentionally interacted with terrorists, and security experts must identify these individuals and provide them with guidance and support.
He was worried that Ghana’s security agencies are not doing enough to inform traders about potential risks abroad, leaving them exposed to dangers like terrorism.
“What guidance do the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ intelligence units provide to traders, and what’s their current intel on terrorist activities? If we don’t get this info, it’ll be tough to move past these horrific incidents,” he stated.
He therefore urged traders to take their safety into their own hands, be vigilant, and seek advice from security experts before traveling.
“It appears that we’re letting traders travel without adequate security briefings, and they’re not prioritizing their safety either. We need to address this from both sides: better intel from the authorities and more awareness from the traders themselves,” he added.
