A senior government delegation from Ghana joined the people and government of Burkina Faso on Saturday in Ouagadougou to inaugurate a memorial park and a towering statue in honor of Captain Thomas Sankara, the iconic revolutionary leader and former President of Burkina Faso.
Captain Thomas Isidore Noël Sankara, often referred to as “Africa’s Che Guevara,” led Burkina Faso from 1983 until his assassination in 1987 at just 37 years old. His legacy as a staunch anti-imperialist and champion of Pan-African ideals continues to inspire movements across the continent.
Representing Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama at the event were Minister of Defence Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Minister of the Interior Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, along with several key officials. Their presence underscored Ghana’s commitment to Pan-Africanism and its enduring ties with Burkina Faso.
The Ghanaian delegation also included Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister for Government Communications and presidential spokesperson; Lt. Col. Gbevlo Lartey (rtd), Ghana’s Special Envoy to the Alliance of Sahel States; and Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Security and Intelligence. Former national security officials from the Rawlings era—Naval Captain Asaase Gyima (rtd) and Mr. Kofi Totobi Quakyi—were also in attendance.
The delegation was officially welcomed by Burkina Faso’s Minister for Defence, Brig. General Celestin Simpore, who hosted the Ghanaian representatives during the ceremony.
The newly unveiled Thomas Sankara Memorial pays tribute not only to Sankara himself but also to the twelve companions who were assassinated with him on October 15, 1987. Burkina Faso’s leaders emphasized that although these heroes were lost, their vision and values remain deeply rooted in the national consciousness.
More than a monument, the memorial serves as a space for reflection and a symbol of Burkina Faso’s enduring fight against colonialism, oppression, and terrorism.
In a special gesture of mutual respect and Pan-African remembrance, the late former President of Ghana, Jerry John Rawlings, was posthumously honored during the ceremony. A street in Ouagadougou is scheduled to be named after him later this week, recognizing his legacy and contribution to the Pan-African cause.
