Ouagadougou: Burkinabe authorities on Sunday dedicated an avenue in the capital, Ouagadougou, to former Ghanaian President John Jerry Rawlings, a close friend of Captain Thomas Sankara and Burkina Faso.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the dedication took place alongside the inauguration of the Thomas Sankara mausoleum. The new avenue, situated in the Dassasgho district of Ouagadougou, pays tribute to Rawlings, who is regarded as "a great fighter for the emancipation of the African continent." It runs along the west side of the National Museum wall and connects to Boulevard Capitaine Isidore No«l Thomas Sankara.

"Ouagadougou, the hospitable city of intermingling peoples, is proud to dedicate one of its avenues to President John Jerry Rawlings, who was a major player in the strong friendship that unites Burkina Faso and Ghana," stated the Prime Minister, represented by Minister of Communication Gilbert Pingdwend© Ou©draogo. This gesture is seen as a recognition by the Burkinabe people of the diverse and selfless support that President Rawlings (1947-2020) provided to Captain Thomas Sankara, the father of the Burkinabe Revolution.

Minister Ou©draogo further remarked, "The naming of this avenue in the name of President John Jerry Rawlings is an invitation to consolidate everything that unites our two peoples and to ensure that present and future generations pursue our common goal of building a united and prosperous Africa."

The ceremony was marked by the presence of a large delegation from the Republic of Ghana, which included relatives of the late President Rawlings.