OUAGADOUGOU (CONVERSEER) – Burkina Faso has named a major avenue in its capital Ouagadougou after former Ghanaian president Jerry John Rawlings, in recognition of his strong ties with Captain Thomas Sankara and his unwavering Pan-Africanist stance.
The gesture follows the recent inauguration of the Thomas Sankara Mausoleum, marking a dual tribute to two icons of African revolutionary history.
The newly named Jerry John Rawlings Avenue, located in the city’s 5th arrondissement, stretches over two kilometres and connects Avenue Jean-Paul II in the north to Boulevard Capitaine Thomas Sankara in the south.
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The dedication ceremony was attended by Rawlings’ family and several dignitaries. The Burkinabe government praised Rawlings as a champion of African emancipation and a steadfast ally of Burkina Faso.
Officials highlighted his moral and strategic support during key moments of the Burkinabe revolution, including the investigation into Sankara’s assassination.
Representing the Rawlings family, Yaa Asantewaa Rawlings expressed gratitude for the honor, describing it as a source of pride and a lasting symbol of the deep friendship between her father and Thomas Sankara.
