The seven Ghanaian traders who lost their lives in a terrorist attack in Titao, northern Burkina Faso, have been buried as efforts intensify to evacuate the remaining survivors to safety.
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mubarak, confirmed the development in an interview on Accra-based radio staation Joy FM on Monday, February 16, noting that the condition of the bodies made it impossible to repatriate them to Ghana
According to the Minister, the victims’ bodies had been severely burnt in the attack and had started decomposing, necessitating immediate burial in Burkina Faso.
“The seven bodies had been burnt beyond recognition. As of yesterday, we agreed that they had begun decomposing and had to be buried,” he stated.
Government officials had initially hoped that representatives from Ghana’s diplomatic mission would attend the burial rites. However, the prevailing security challenges in the area prevented safe access to the attack site.
Mr. Mubarak explained that Burkina Faso authorities informed Ghana that the burial would take place at 10 a.m., adding that some of the Ghanaian women who were not seriously injured were allowed to be present to witness the process and document it.
Meanwhile, the Burkina Faso military is working to establish a secure passage to facilitate the movement of both injured and uninjured survivors to Ghana’s mission in Ouagadougou. From there, arrangements will be made to return them home.
The victims were among a group of 18 Ghanaian tomato traders and truck drivers who were ambushed during the attack last Saturday. Seven people died in the incident, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Providing further details, the Interior Minister said three men were injured, with one woman reported to be in critical condition. Others escaped with minor injuries.
The government continues to engage Burkina Faso authorities to ensure the safe evacuation of the survivors and to monitor the evolving security situation in the region.
