As a norm, every October 15, we celebrate the life of President Thomas Sankara, and yesterday, President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso launched the Sovereignty Football league to raise the level of soccer (football) in the different regions of the country. Sure, this comes after the resounding defeat of the Burkinabe national team against Argentina in a friendly international game which ended 7 – 0; any correct president who loves his country would want a reform of its soccer leagues. Other sport disciplines will be added with time.

Similarly, in August, the president launched the Hakili Mousso science competition, a science competition built to encourage young girls to envision and pursue a career in science and technology, thus putting scientific knowledge and academic performance at the forefront of national aspirations. As a reminder, this came 2 months after the suspension of beauty pageants in the country, which are currently under review. Historically, these beauty pageants in our countries have always mirrored Western beauty norms with women competing based on Western beauty standard, with preference for straight hair vs. our natural afro and hairstyles, super skinny and curve-less (let’s face it, the African woman is curvy), and even in clothing choices instead of traditional textiles (History of African Fabrics and Textiles). This direction echoes This direction echoes President Thomas Sankara’s long-standing commitment to women’s participation in public life and girls’ education, summarized in his well‑known declaration,“Women hold up the other Half of the Sky”. Sankara appointed women to high government positions, encouraged their full participation in the workforce, opened military recruitment to women, and ensured that students received pregnancy leave. Similarly, President Traoré is continuing this vision by starting the Hakili Mousso science competition, by creating new pathways for girls to thrive in scientific fields and contribute to national development.

The inaugural contest brought in 84 young women who earned science baccalaureates in 2026 and tested their knowledge of mathematics, physics and chemistry. The first place winners received 2 million FCFA, a motorcycle, a laptop, and additional rewards. The five highest-performing participants in each subject received prizes. The cherry on top: days after the competition ended, Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré invited the winners to the presidential palace.The meeting lasted nearly an hour, with discussions covering science, ambition and the participants’ future career goals.

Our president is making us proud… proud to be Burkinabe from the land of honest people, proud to be African.