A HIGH-LEVEL Ghanaian delegation led by Minister of Defence Edward Omane Boamah and Ghana’s Envoy to the Alliance of Sahel States, Lt. Col. Larry Gbevlo Lartey (rtd) attended the inauguration of the Thomas Sankara Memorial Park in Ouagadougou.
The ceremony honored the late Captain Thomas Isidore Noël Sankara and his twelve comrades, who were assassinated on October 15, 1987.
Representing President John Dramani Mahama, Minister Boamah expressed solidarity with the people of Burkina Faso, stating the shared history and revolutionary ideals between the two nations. The event highlighted the enduring legacy of Sankara, often referred to as “Africa’s Che Guevara,” and his vision for self-reliance and social justice.
The memorial, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Francis Kéré, features a mausoleum constructed with traditional laterite and earth materials, promoting natural cooling and sustainability.
An 87-meter tower serves as a new urban landmark, symbolizing Sankara’s towering influence. The site also includes an amphitheater, conference rooms, and spaces for community engagement, reflecting Sankara’s commitment to education and empowerment.
At the ceremony, Burkina Faso’s government announced plans to name a ceremonial street in Ouagadougou after former Ghanaian President Jerry John Rawlings, acknowledging his support for Sankara’s revolutionary ideals.
The Ghanaian delegation included 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. Larry Gbevlo Lartey (rtd), Chairperson for the Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliament Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, and former National Security officials Naval Captain Asaase Gyima (rtd) and Mr. Kofi Totobi Quakyi.
The Thomas Sankara Memorial Park stands as a testament to the enduring impact of Sankara’s vision and the strong bonds between Ghana and Burkina Faso.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
