The Northern Regional Coordinating Council (NRCC) has urged traders, transport operators, and haulage drivers in the Northern Region to adhere to applicable laws governing cross-border trade in agricultural commodities from Burkina Faso, in order to avoid sanctions.
The directive follows the introduction of strict sanctions against the illegal export of shea nuts and selected grains from Burkina Faso.
In a statement issued on Monday, June 8, 2026, the NRCC in Tamale said an official communication received from the National Security Council Secretariat indicated that Burkina Faso has instituted severe sanctions against individuals involved in illicit trade in shea nuts and selected grains.
It said the sanctions include the confiscation of vehicles used in the illegal trade as well as the prosecution of individuals found culpable.
“The Burkinabe government has imposed sanctions, including confiscation of vehicles and prosecution of individuals involved in illicit export of shea nuts and selected grains such as millet, maize, and soybeans from Burkina Faso.
“In view of this development, the Northern Regional Coordinating Council wishes to inform businessmen and women, haulage drivers, transport owners and export companies in the region to exercise extreme caution and strictly adhere to all applicable laws and regulations governing cross-border trade in agricultural commodities in Burkina Faso to avoid any applicable sanction,” it stated.
The NRCC also appealed to traditional authorities, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), market associations, trade unions and transport unions across the Northern Region to help disseminate the information to ensure compliance among their members.
The NRCC further reaffirmed government’s commitment to promoting lawful cross-border trade, strengthening cooperation between Ghanaian and Burkinabe traders while ensuring citizens are adequately informed of the development.