Ghana’s Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has led a high-powered delegation to Ouagadougou to represent President John Dramani Mahama at the inauguration of a Memorial Park in honour of Burkina Faso’s revolutionary leader, Captain Thomas Isidore Noël Sankara, and his twelve comrades.

The visit, which served as a symbol of solidarity between Ghana and Burkina Faso, came during a moving ceremony that unveiled a giant statue and memorial in remembrance of the iconic Pan-African leader and his colleagues, who were assassinated on October 15, 1987.

Speaking at the event, the government and people of Burkina Faso described the late Sankara and his compatriots as "fallen but forever alive in their hearts."

They expressed hope that the Thomas Sankara Memorial, now a national site of reflection and revolution, would inspire the country's continued struggle against oppression, colonial legacies, and terrorism.

In a touching gesture of Pan-African unity, the government of Burkina Faso also paid tribute to Ghana’s late former President Jerry John Rawlings.

Authorities confirmed that a ceremonial street in Ouagadougou will be named after Rawlings later this week in recognition of his leadership and solidarity with the Burkinabè people.

Dr. Omane Boamah, on his part, expressed appreciation on behalf of President Mahama and the people of Ghana for the warm reception and the enduring bonds between the two West African nations.

“I am deeply grateful to the government of Burkina Faso and my counterpart, Minister for Defence Brigadier General Celestin Simpore, for the exceptional hospitality and the opportunity to engage in productive dialogue,” Dr. Omane Boamah said.

He also acknowledged the contributions of several Ghanaian officials and dignitaries who played vital roles in the engagement, including:

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 of the Parliamentary Committee on Security and Intelligence, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings

Former National Security stalwarts under President Rawlings, Naval Captain Asaase Gyima (Rtd) and Mr. Kofi Totobi Quakyi

The visit underscores Ghana’s enduring commitment to regional peace, historical justice, and Pan-African unity.