Ghana’s Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, led a high-level delegation to Ouagadougou to represent President John Dramani Mahama at the inauguration of the Thomas Sankara Memorial Park in Burkina Faso.
The event honored Captain Thomas Sankara and twelve of his comrades, who were assassinated on October 15, 1987, with a towering statue and tributes from across the continent.
Dr. Boamah described the visit as one of solidarity, reflecting the shared revolutionary spirit between the two nations.
“The government and people of Burkina Faso stressed that these heroes are ‘fallen but forever alive in their hearts,’” Dr. Boamah said in a post-event statement.
The newly inaugurated memorial is envisioned not only as a monument of remembrance but also as a sanctuary of reflection and a beacon of revolutionary ideals.
“They trust that this Thomas Sankara Memorial (a place of reflection and revolution) will be supportive in aiding them to emerge from oppression and defeat colonialism and terrorism,” he added.
In a significant moment of transnational recognition, the legacy of Ghana’s late former president, Jerry John Rawlings, was also honored.
According to Dr. Boamah, “posthumously, President Jerry John Rawlings of Ghana received well-deserved immense praise,” with assurances that a ceremonial street in Ouagadougou would be named after him.
This tribute reflects Rawlings’ close ideological and diplomatic ties with Sankara, both of whom championed pan-Africanism and anti-imperialist governance.
The Ghanaian delegation included several key national security and communications figures.
Dr. Boamah extended his gratitude to Minister for the Interior and National Security, Muntaka Mubarak; Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu; Ghana’s Special Envoy to the Alliance of Sahel States, Lt. Col. Gbevlo Lartey (rtd); and Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Chairperson of Parliament’s Security and Intelligence Committee.
He also acknowledged the contribution of two former National Security heads under Rawlings—Naval Captain Asaase Gyima (rtd) and Mr. Kofi Totobi Quakyi.
Concluding his remarks, Dr. Boamah expressed appreciation to the government of Burkina Faso and his counterpart, Minister for Defence Brig. General Celestin Simpore, for their warm hospitality.
“We were proud to represent Ghana at such a meaningful and historic occasion,” he said.
The event not only paid homage to fallen revolutionaries but also reaffirmed the enduring alliance between Ghana and Burkina Faso in the fight against terrorism and neocolonialism.
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