A group of Ghanaian cross-border traders has appealed to the government to intervene over what they describe as persistent harassment and extortion by Burkinabe security officers at the Paga border.
According to the traders, they are frequently asked to pay money by police officers on the Burkina Faso side of the border, a situation they say is disrupting business activities and increasing the cost of cross-border trade.
The Paga border, one of Ghana’s busiest international entry points, serves as a vital trade corridor linking Ghana with neighbouring Burkina Faso and facilitating the movement of goods and people within the ECOWAS sub-region.
The traders said routine business operations have become increasingly difficult due to multiple security checkpoints, lengthy delays, and repeated document inspections along the Ghana–Burkina Faso route.
They explained that immigration and other security officials regularly demand travel documents, including passports, ECOWAS identity cards, and other permits, before allowing them to proceed.
While acknowledging the importance of border security and lawful migration, the traders argued that the current processes have become overly cumbersome and frustrating, particularly for business owners who frequently travel across the border to buy and sell goods.
They are therefore calling on Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ghana Immigration Service to engage the authorities in Burkina Faso to address the situation in line with the ECOWAS Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, Goods and Services.
Transport operators who ply the route have also expressed concern over the repeated stops and document checks, saying the delays reduce the number of trips they are able to make each day and negatively affect cross-border commerce.
The traders and transport operators are urging both countries to strengthen cooperation to ensure that security measures do not unnecessarily hinder legitimate trade, while maintaining effective border control and regional integration.