Grief has engulfed a family and Tomatoe sellers in Koforidua following reports that Constance Nyarko, popularly known as Yaa Yaa, is among Ghanaian tomato traders attacked in a deadly terrorist attack in northern Burkina Faso.
Yaa Yaa, a well-known wholesale tomato dealer at the Koforidua market, was part of a group of 18 Ghanaian traders who travelled to Burkina Faso to purchase tomatoes when militants attacked the town of Titao on Saturday.
When news of the attack reached Koforidua, relatives and friends of Yaa Yaa gathered at her residence, where a visit by Bryt FM reporter Obed Kojo Ansah observed a solemn and tense atmosphere Tuesday.
According to her close friend, Maa Abena, Yaa Yaa left Ghana on February 5 and was expected to return on February 16.
She had maintained constant communication during previous trips, but since Saturday, all attempts to reach her have failed.
Yaa Yaa leaves behind two children, who were being cared for by her friend whenever she travelled for business.
She reportedly travelled with another woman from Koforidua, who survived the attack but is said to be seriously injured and unconscious.
Market women in Argartha Market in Koforidua were griefing Monday -a brisk market day .
They described Yaa Yaa as hardworking and generous, noting that she often supplied tomatoes on credit to fellow traders to help them sustain their businesses.
For years, she had been engaged in the risky cross-border tomato trade, travelling to Burkina Faso to secure supplies for resale in Ghana.
Ghana’s Interior Minister confirmed that seven Ghanaian traders were killed when Islamist insurgents stormed Titao. The attackers reportedly separated men from women before opening fire on the group.
Out of the 18 traders:Seven were killed,
Three men and one woman sustained injuries,Seven other women escaped unhurt.
The deceased were buried in Burkina Faso on Monday, with surviving female traders hospitalized.
Ghanaian officials were unable to access the area due to security concerns.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
