THE SPIRIT OF SANKOFA SQUARE IN TORONTO STILL LIVES ON

Date: August 24, 2026

By: Emmanuel Ayiku | Toronto, Ontario for GhanaianNewsCanada

The heartbeat of African heritage echoed through downtown Toronto as hundreds of Ghanaians, Black Canadians and members of the wider African diaspora gathered to celebrate the first anniversary of Sankofa Square—a landmark that has rapidly become a symbol of remembrance, identity and cultural pride in Canada.

Held from August 21–23, 2026, the three-day celebration attracted community leaders, diplomats, artists and young people from across Ontario, transforming Sankofa Square into a vibrant showcase of African history, music, fashion, cuisine and unity.

Leading Ghana’s delegation was Hon. James Gyakye Quayson, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament, who was accompanied by Ghana’s High Commissioner to Canada, Prof. Dora Francisca Edu-Buandoh, and the Consul-General of Ghana in Toronto, Mr. Peter Kobina Taylor.

For many in attendance, the anniversary was more than a cultural festival—it was a powerful reminder that the spirit of Sankofa continues to connect Africa with its descendants across the world.

Sankofa: Returning to reclaim what was lost

Delivering the keynote address, Hon. James Gyakye Quayson reflected on the profound meaning of the Akan word “Sankofa,” explaining that it represents the timeless principle of returning to retrieve what is valuable from one’s past.

He said the philosophy is especially significant for Africans and people of African descent whose histories were disrupted by slavery, colonialism and displacement.

“Sankofa teaches us that it is never too late to go back and reclaim our history, our identity and our heritage. It reminds us that our future becomes stronger when we understand where we come from.”

The Deputy Minister described Sankofa Square as a living monument where African culture is celebrated not only through ceremonies, but through everyday expressions of music, dance, fashion, language and storytelling.

He noted that such spaces help younger generations born outside Africa develop a stronger appreciation of their roots while fostering intercultural understanding within Canada’s multicultural society.

Toronto becomes a meeting place for the African diaspora

Throughout the weekend, Sankofa Square came alive with performances representing the diversity of the African continent.

Traditional drummers performed alongside contemporary musicians, while dancers in colourful kente and African regalia captivated audiences. Local vendors displayed handmade crafts, African artwork, books and authentic cuisine, creating an atmosphere that felt remarkably close to the bustling cultural festivals of Accra, Kumasi and Cape Coast.

Families travelled from Brampton, Mississauga, Hamilton, Ottawa and neighbouring cities to participate, making the anniversary one of the largest African community gatherings in the Greater Toronto Area this summer.

Children proudly waved both Ghanaian and Canadian flags, symbolising a generation growing up with dual identities yet deeply connected to their ancestral heritage.

Ghana renews its commitment to the diaspora

Hon. Gyakye Quayson used the occasion to reaffirm Ghana’s commitment to strengthening relationships with its global diaspora.

He highlighted landmark initiatives introduced by the Government of Ghana, including the Year of Return, Beyond the Return, the Black Star Experience and the Diaspora Summits, describing them as transformative programmes designed to reconnect Africa with descendants of enslaved Africans around the world.

According to him, these initiatives have helped position Ghana as the spiritual and cultural gateway for Africans in the diaspora.

He encouraged Ghanaian-Canadians to remain active partners in Ghana’s development through investment, tourism, education, entrepreneurship and cultural exchange.

“The diaspora is not separated from Ghana by geography. You remain an essential part of our national story and an indispensable partner in Africa’s future.”

A powerful call for reparatory justice

One of the most emotional moments of the anniversary came when the Deputy Minister addressed the growing international movement for reparatory justice.

He emphasised that the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved Africans and the racialised system of chattel slavery left deep economic, social and psychological scars that continue to affect African communities globally.

Mr. Quayson called for sustained international dialogue and cooperation in pursuing reparations, noting that Ghana remains one of the leading African nations advocating for justice on behalf of Africans and people of African descent.

Rather than viewing reparations solely as financial compensation, he described the movement as a broader pursuit of historical truth, dignity, recognition and institutional justice.

His remarks were met with prolonged applause from the audience, many of whom described the message as both timely and deeply meaningful.

High Commissioner and Consul-General strengthen Ghana’s presence

The anniversary also underscored the growing diplomatic engagement between Ghana and its Canadian diaspora.

Prof. Dora Francisca Edu-Buandoh, Ghana’s High Commissioner to Canada, joined community members throughout the celebrations, reaffirming the High Commission’s commitment to supporting cultural diplomacy and strengthening bilateral relations between Ghana and Canada.

Meanwhile, Consul-General Peter Kobina Taylor continued his active engagement with Ghanaian communities in Toronto, interacting with community leaders, youth organisations and cultural groups during the festivities.

The strong diplomatic presence reflected Ghana’s broader strategy of maintaining meaningful connections with Ghanaians living abroad while promoting the country’s cultural and economic interests internationally.

Why Sankofa Square matters

Although only one year old, Sankofa Square has quickly become much more than a public gathering space.

For many members of Toronto’s African community, it represents recognition of African history within one of the world’s most multicultural cities.

Its name alone carries enormous symbolic weight.

The Sankofa bird—often depicted turning its head backward while moving forward—reminds generations that progress should never come at the expense of forgetting one’s origins.

Community elders at the celebration explained that the square has become a place where African festivals, educational programmes and cultural performances can thrive, ensuring that younger generations inherit not only stories about Africa but lived cultural experiences.

Youth at the centre of the future

A recurring theme throughout the anniversary was the importance of empowering young people.

The Deputy Minister urged Ghanaian and African youth born in Canada to embrace their languages, traditions and history while confidently contributing to Canadian society.

He stressed that preserving cultural identity does not conflict with being proudly Canadian; rather, it enriches Canada’s multicultural fabric.

Many youth organisations echoed that sentiment through spoken-word performances, dance and artistic exhibitions celebrating African excellence and identity.

The spirit lives on

As evening descended over Toronto, the rhythms of African drums blended with cheers from the crowd, creating a fitting conclusion to a celebration rooted in remembrance and hope.

The first anniversary of Sankofa Square demonstrated that cultural heritage can flourish thousands of kilometres away from the African continent when communities choose to preserve it with intention and pride.

For Ghanaian-Canadians, the weekend was a reminder that home is not defined solely by geography—it also lives in language, music, shared memories and collective identity.

And as Hon. James Gyakye Quayson reminded the gathering, the message of Sankofa remains timeless:

To move confidently into the future, we must never forget where we come from.

The spirit of Sankofa Square, it seems, is not merely surviving in Toronto—it is thriving.