The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, has expressed disappointment that key government ministers have not briefed Parliament on the reported killing of eight Ghanaian tomato traders in Burkina Faso.
He noted that more than a week after news of the incident emerged, the Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Defence, and the Interior had not appeared before the House to provide updates.
“We have waited for over a week, yet none of the ministers had the courtesy to come before Parliament to brief us,” he remarked.
According to him, the Minority members on the relevant parliamentary committees have formally written to the ministers, requesting their presence before a joint committee sitting.
He explained that the request involves the Defence and Interior Committee, the Security and Intelligence Committee, and the Foreign Affairs Committee.
He stated that the purpose of the meeting is to seek clarity on the circumstances surrounding the attack, the factors that may have contributed to it, and the government’s response so far.
“We want to understand what occurred, what contributed to the attack, what has been done, and what measures must be put in place,” he indicated.
The lawmaker argued that the incident points to gaps in preventive mechanisms, stressing the need for stronger security and diplomatic arrangements to protect Ghanaian citizens both at home and abroad.
“There was clearly a failure somewhere, and the right measures must be implemented to prevent a recurrence. Never again should such a terrorist killing happen,” he emphasised.
He added that while the Minority acknowledges the complex security and political dynamics within the sub region, Parliament expects government policies that ensure the safety of Ghanaians.
“We are aware of the geopolitical challenges, but our focus is on the right policies, proper mechanisms, and effective collaboration with partners to protect our citizens,” he stated.
