Ghana and Burkina Faso Celebrate Shared Legacy at Thomas Sankara Memorial Park Inauguration
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – May 20, 2025 – A powerful symbol of Pan-African solidarity unfolded in Ouagadougou as a Ghanaian delegation, led by Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, joined Burkina Faso for the inauguration of the Thomas Sankara Memorial Park and a towering statue honoring the late Burkinabè revolutionary leader. The ceremony, held on Tuesday, marked a significant moment in celebrating the enduring legacy of Captain Thomas Sankara, a Pan-Africanist icon assassinated in 1987 alongside twelve of his colleagues.
The event, attended by high-ranking officials from both nations, highlighted the deep historical ties between Ghana and Burkina Faso. Dr. Omane Boamah, representing President John Dramani Mahama, was photographed warmly shaking hands with a Burkinabè military official, a gesture encapsulating the spirit of unity. The memorial park, a sprawling 14-hectare site designed by Kéré Architecture, integrates into Ouagadougou’s Green Belt initiative, reflecting Sankara’s environmental vision to combat urban aridity. It serves as a space for reflection and resistance against colonialism and terrorism, themes central to Sankara’s revolutionary ideology.
Thomas Sankara, who led Burkina Faso from 1983 to 1987, is revered for his transformative policies, including boosting literacy rates from 10% to over 70% through mass education campaigns and promoting self-reliance by rejecting Western aid. His emphasis on local resource utilization, such as transforming Burkina Faso’s cotton into clothing for its people, continues to inspire African farmers striving for food sovereignty today.
Adding to the ceremony’s significance, Burkina Faso announced plans to name a 2-kilometer ceremonial street in Ouagadougou after Ghana’s late President Jerry John Rawlings, a close ally of Sankara and a fellow Pan-Africanist. Rawlings, who led Ghana through transformative periods, shared Sankara’s vision of African emancipation and unity. The street-naming gesture, set to be formalized later this week, was met with gratitude from the Rawlings family. Ms. Yaa Asantewaa Agyeman-Rawlings, speaking at a related event on May 18, described the honor as a tribute not only to her father but to the people of Ghana, emphasizing the shared ideals of justice and equality that both leaders championed.
Dr. Omane Boamah expressed appreciation for Burkina Faso’s hospitality, noting the productive dialogue with his counterpart, Brigadier General Celestin Simporé. “This memorial park is a testament to the enduring spirit of Thomas Sankara and the unbreakable bonds between our nations,” he said. The event also underscored Burkina Faso’s commitment to preserving Sankara’s legacy as a beacon for future generations fighting neo-colonialism and oppression.
The inauguration, widely covered by regional media, resonated across the continent, with hashtags like #ThomasSankara and #PanAfricanSolidarity trending on social platforms. As Ghana and Burkina Faso continue to strengthen their ties, the Thomas Sankara Memorial Park stands as a enduring reminder of the revolutionary ideals that unite them in the pursuit of a freer, more self-reliant Africa.
