In a stirring tribute that resonated with history and Pan-African solidarity, Burkina Faso has renamed a major avenue in its capital city after Ghana’s former President Jerry John Rawlings. The move is a heartfelt nod to Rawlings’ deep bond with the late Burkinabè revolutionary, Captain Thomas Sankara, and their shared dream of an Africa free from external domination.
The new “Avenue Jerry Rawlings” runs through the Dassasgho district of Ouagadougou, flanking the western edge of the National Museum before linking up with the prominent Boulevard Capitaine Isidore Noël Thomas Sankara. The unveiling was held on Sunday, May 18, in tandem with the long-awaited inauguration of the Thomas Sankara Mausoleum—a space envisioned for reflection, remembrance, and continued revolutionary spirit.
Ghanaian delegates, including family members of the late Rawlings, were present at the emotionally charged event, joining Burkinabè officials, dignitaries, and citizens in commemorating a legacy that transcends national borders.
Speaking on behalf of the Prime Minister, Minister of Communication Gilbert Ouédraogo described Rawlings as “a major figure in the historical bond between Burkina Faso and Ghana.” His remarks echoed a broader sentiment shared across the crowd: that Rawlings was more than a leader—he was a revolutionary brother to Sankara, bound by their mutual commitment to African dignity, independence, and unity.
“This is not just a road,” Ouédraogo said, “but a symbol—an invitation to the people of both nations to deepen their unity and pass the torch of self-determination to future generations.”
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Rawlings, who governed Ghana from 1979 and again from 1981 to 2001, was one of the few African leaders who openly backed Sankara’s bold reforms during the 1980s. Sankara, dubbed “Africa’s Che Guevara,” was assassinated in 1987 during a coup widely believed to have been influenced by foreign interests. Rawlings’ unwavering support during Sankara’s short-lived administration helped solidify a lasting camaraderie between the two leaders—and their countries.
The avenue renaming is part of a wider initiative sweeping across Burkina Faso and other Sahelian nations to reclaim public spaces from the shadows of colonial legacies. In 2023, authorities renamed Boulevard Général Charles De Gaulle to Boulevard Thomas Sankara—a powerful shift that underscored the country’s resolve to honor its own heroes rather than imported ones.
For many Burkinabè, dedicating this stretch of road to Rawlings is more than ceremonial—it is an act of remembrance and a public reaffirmation of the revolutionary ideals he and Sankara championed.
“Rawlings stood by Sankara when few dared to,” said a local historian who attended the ceremony. “By etching his name into the heart of Ouagadougou, we are preserving not just a name, but a spirit. A spirit of courage, integrity, and unity.”
As music, speeches, and silent reflection filled the sunlit streets of Ouagadougou on Sunday, it was clear: the legacy of African revolutionaries lives on—not just in history books, but in the roads we walk, the names we honor, and the futures we dare to build.
