Former Vice-President and newly elected flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has expressed shock and sorrow following reports that Ghanaian traders were killed and others injured in a terrorist attack in Burkina Faso.

In a post shared on Facebook on Monday, February 16, Dr Bawumia said he had received the news “with shock”, describing the incident as a tragic loss for the nation.

He noted that several Ghanaian traders had lost their lives, while others sustained injuries in the attack.

“The NPP, Samira and I express our condolences to the families of the bereaved and our best wishes to the injured,” he stated, extending sympathy on behalf of himself, his wife and the party.

Dr Bawumia stressed that Ghanaian traders operating beyond the country’s borders must not be left vulnerable to such dangers as they go about their legitimate business activities.

He emphasised the importance of safeguarding citizens wherever they may be within the sub-region.

“Ghanaian traders must not be left to such peril as they go about their trade,” he said.

He therefore urged the Government to deepen intelligence collaboration with neighbouring countries to enhance cross-border security and protect Ghanaians living and working abroad.

Dr Bawumia further called for the strengthening of Ghana’s well-established framework for preventing and countering violent extremism and terrorism.

He emphasised that proactive intelligence gathering, regional cooperation and robust security measures remain critical in addressing the growing threat of terrorism in West Africa.