The Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, has underscored the importance of developing border communities as a strategy to boost economic growth, improve infrastructure, and address security challenges in Ghana and the wider sub-region.
He made the remarks during a meeting with the German Ambassador to Ghana, Frederik Landshöft, where discussions focused on regional development.
The minister said improved infrastructure and expanded economic opportunities in border areas could help reduce vulnerabilities linked to cross-border movement and insecurity.
He appealed to the German government to support the region with irrigation facilities to enable year-round farming.
According to him, such interventions would reduce the number of Ghanaian traders, particularly market women, who cross into Burkina Faso to purchase tomatoes, exposing themselves to security risks, including insurgent attacks.
Mr. Atanga recalled a tragic incident in which some Ghanaian tomato traders were killed during a terrorist attack in Burkina Faso while on a trading trip.
He said such incidents highlight the urgent need to invest in irrigation infrastructure to boost local agricultural production and enhance food security in the Upper East Region.
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