 Five African presidents who paved the way to freedom. Five, Thomas Sankara Burkina Faso. Sankara was the president of Burkina Faso for four years before he was assassinated. He is known for his radical reforms and his commitment to social justice. Four, Patrice Lumumba, Congo. He was a leading figure in the Congolese independence movement and he was known for his outspoken opposition to Belgian colonialism. Three, Olustin Obasanjo, Nigeria. He was a military leader who believed that Nigeria should be at United Country. Two, Nelson Mandela, South Africa. Mandela was the first black president of South Africa and he is best known for his fight against apartheid. One, Quame Cruma, Ghana. Cruma was the first president of Ghana and he is considered to be the father of African independence. He was a strong advocate for Pan-Africanism and he worked to unite African countries.