By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi / Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada
12 October 2026
Ghana’s efforts to strengthen its relationship with Africans in the diaspora are gaining renewed attention through the Sankofa Project, an initiative designed to connect African history, cultural identity and shared development opportunities.
Toronto, Canada, has been selected as the first international launch destination for the initiative, reflecting the growing importance of the city as a meeting point for African and Caribbean communities, cultural organisations and people of African descent.
The project was announced by Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister James Gyakye Quayson during Ghana’s Diaspora Summit 2025 in Accra. It is intended to deepen relationships between Ghana and the global African family through remembrance, reconnection and development.
The announcement followed Toronto’s adoption of the name Sankofa Square for the public space formerly known as Yonge-Dundas Square. The name, which draws from Ghanaian Akan culture, has become a prominent symbol of the city’s efforts to acknowledge historical injustices and celebrate African heritage.
For Ghanaians living in Canada and other members of the African diaspora, the larger question is what the Sankofa Project will deliver beyond symbolic recognition.
Its success will depend on whether the initiative can translate cultural remembrance into practical opportunities for education, tourism, business, investment and sustained engagement between Ghana and its diaspora communities.
What Is Ghana’s Sankofa Project?
The Sankofa Project is a government-supported initiative intended to strengthen Ghana’s relationship with Africans abroad by encouraging people to reconnect with their history, heritage and ancestral homeland.
The initiative draws on the Akan concept of Sankofa, commonly understood as returning to retrieve something valuable from the past. The principle encourages people to learn from history and use that knowledge to shape the future.
According to information released by Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the initiative was established by the Sankofa Freedom Art Project, founded by Ghanaian-Canadian Pan-Africanist Comrade Alex Kojo Arthur.
The Ghanaian government has elevated the initiative into a national collaborative platform involving public institutions, private organisations and diaspora partners.
Its proposed activities extend beyond monuments and commemorative events. They include promoting African history, encouraging diaspora tourism, facilitating cultural exchange and providing information for people interested in visiting, resettling in or investing in Ghana.
Digital platforms are also envisaged to connect diaspora communities with opportunities on the continent and highlight the contributions of Africans abroad.
The broader ambition is to make Ghana a cultural and historical point of connection for people of African descent while creating stronger relationships that can support development.
Why Was Toronto Selected?
Toronto’s selection as the first international destination is closely connected to the city’s decision to rename Yonge-Dundas Square as Sankofa Square.
Toronto City Council adopted the renaming in December 2023 following a community consultation process examining the legacy of historical figures associated with public spaces.
The square’s new name was officially inaugurated in August 2025, creating a prominent public platform for discussions about African heritage, historical memory and racial justice.
Sankofa Square is managed by a City of Toronto agency and hosts public gatherings, concerts, festivals and community activities. Its location in downtown Toronto gives the name significant visibility among residents and visitors.
For Ghana, the connection creates an opportunity to build on an established cultural landmark rather than begin its international engagement from scratch.
It also provides a setting where Ghanaian heritage can be presented alongside the experiences of other African and Caribbean communities.
The partnership reflects a shared interest in acknowledging the historical consequences of the transatlantic slave trade while encouraging cultural understanding and inclusion.
However, the square and Ghana’s Sankofa Project remain distinct initiatives. Toronto’s public space is managed by the city, while Ghana’s broader project seeks to establish connections and programmes involving the government and diaspora partners.
SankofaFest: A Cultural Platform for the Diaspora
One of the most visible developments connected to Toronto’s Sankofa identity was SankofaFest, held from August 21 to 23, 2026.
The three-day celebration expanded on the inaugural Sankofa Day event held in 2025. Its programme brought together music, fashion, art, storytelling and community activities under the theme of honouring heritage while building a shared future.
The festival included cultural performances, creative showcases and family-oriented activities designed to engage different generations.
Its timing was significant because August 23 is observed internationally as the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, designated by UNESCO.
Ghanaian representatives participated in the first-anniversary observance of Sankofa Square. Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister James Gyakye Quayson attended alongside Ghana’s High Commissioner to Canada, Professor Dora Francisca Edu-Buandoh, and Consul-General Peter Kobina Taylor.
During the observance, Quayson highlighted the importance of reconnecting younger generations with African history and cultural identity. He also emphasised Ghana’s continuing interest in reparatory justice for historical injustices associated with enslavement and the transatlantic slave trade.
For diaspora communities, events of this kind can provide an opportunity to celebrate cultural identity, establish professional and community connections and introduce younger generations to African traditions.
The longer-term challenge is ensuring that such gatherings lead to continuing programmes and partnerships throughout the year rather than remaining isolated annual celebrations.
The Proposed Sankofa Freedom Monument Hub
A central element announced as part of Ghana’s initiative was the proposed Sankofa Freedom Monument Hub in Toronto.
According to the Ghana News Agency’s report of January 3, 2026, the government intended to unveil the hub on August 23, 2026.
The proposed landmark was described as a cultural, educational and commemorative space dedicated to remembering enslaved ancestors, preserving African history and celebrating resilience.
It was also intended to serve as a living educational resource, helping visitors understand the historical experiences of Africans and their descendants.
Such a space could provide opportunities for schools, community organisations, researchers and cultural institutions to develop educational programmes, exhibitions and historical discussions.
It could also create a permanent point of engagement for visitors interested in Ghana’s role in African history and the wider experiences of the diaspora.
However, an announcement of a planned unveiling should not be treated as confirmation that the monument hub was completed or formally opened. Public updates confirming its present status, location, management arrangements and programming would help diaspora communities understand how they can participate.
For the project to fulfil its stated purpose, its organisers will need to communicate clearly about access, educational activities, partnerships and future development.
What Should Ghanaians in Canada Expect?
For Ghanaian residents in Toronto and other parts of Canada, the initiative presents several potential areas of interest.
1. Greater cultural and historical education
The project could support exhibitions, public lectures, school activities and community discussions exploring Ghanaian history, African civilisation and the experiences of Africans during and after the transatlantic slave trade.
These activities would be particularly valuable for younger generations who may have limited opportunities to learn about their ancestral history outside family and community settings.
2. Stronger connections with Ghana
The project is intended to make it easier for members of the diaspora to explore opportunities to visit Ghana, reconnect with family histories and learn about the country’s cultural institutions.
Digital information platforms and partnerships with Ghanaian missions could provide useful guidance for prospective visitors and people considering longer-term engagement with the country.
3. Cultural exchange and creative opportunities
Ghanaian musicians, visual artists, filmmakers, designers, historians and cultural organisations could benefit from opportunities to collaborate with Canadian institutions and other diaspora communities.
Festivals and public events may provide platforms for showcasing Ghanaian creative work and building relationships with audiences beyond the existing Ghanaian community.
4. Tourism and heritage experiences
The initiative could complement Ghana’s wider diaspora tourism efforts, including the Year of Return and Beyond the Return.
For people interested in tracing family histories, visiting historic sites or learning more about Ghana’s role in the African diaspora, stronger cultural connections between Toronto and Ghana could encourage additional travel and educational exchanges.
However, the extent of these opportunities will depend on the development of specific programmes and partnerships.
5. Business and investment connections
The Sankofa Project also aims to encourage shared development. This creates an opportunity to connect members of the diaspora with credible information about business, investment and other economic opportunities in Ghana.
For such an ambition to deliver meaningful results, participants will need access to practical guidance on investment procedures, business registration, relevant regulations and reliable local partners.
Clear information and transparent processes will be essential to building confidence among prospective investors.
Reparatory Justice and the Importance of Historical Recognition
The Sankofa initiative also connects with broader international discussions about reparatory justice.
The transatlantic slave trade forcibly displaced millions of Africans and contributed to generations of economic, social and cultural harm. Its effects continue to influence debates about inequality, historical responsibility and the preservation of African heritage.
Ghana has used international engagements to advocate for greater recognition of these historical injustices and discussions about reparations.
In Toronto, Sankofa Square offers a public setting in which such conversations can take place alongside cultural celebrations and educational activities.
The project could help create opportunities for dialogue among African governments, diaspora organisations, historians, community leaders and public institutions.
Nevertheless, historical recognition and reparatory justice involve complex questions that cannot be resolved through a monument or festival alone. Progress requires sustained dialogue, research, institutional cooperation and clearly defined objectives.
For the Sankofa Project, the challenge will be to ensure that remembrance is accompanied by meaningful education, engagement and practical action.
Questions About Implementation and Accountability
Although the project has significant cultural ambitions, diaspora communities will reasonably want more information about how it will operate over the longer term.
Important questions include how the proposed monument hub is progressing, which organizations will manage its activities, how the initiative will be funded and what opportunities will be available to community groups.
There will also be interest in the project’s digital platforms, including when they will become fully operational and how they will provide reliable information for visitors, prospective investors and people considering resettlement in Ghana.
The government and its partners could strengthen public confidence by publishing a clear programme of activities, identifying responsible institutions and providing regular updates on milestones.
Measurable objectives would also help the public assess whether the initiative is producing lasting benefits.
For example, organisers could report on educational programmes delivered, cultural partnerships established, visitors engaged and diaspora-led projects supported.
These measures would allow the initiative to demonstrate its value beyond public announcements and ceremonial events.
A Bridge Between Ghana and the Global African Family
Ghana has spent years developing programmes intended to strengthen its relationship with Africans abroad. The Year of Return, Beyond the Return and the Black Star Experience have all contributed to efforts to promote heritage, tourism and international cultural engagement.
The Sankofa Project offers another opportunity to build on those efforts, particularly by establishing a visible connection with Toronto’s African and Caribbean communities.
Its central message is that remembering history should help shape a more connected future.
For Ghanaians in Canada, that could mean more opportunities to celebrate their heritage, introduce their children to African history, build relationships with cultural institutions and explore meaningful connections with Ghana.
For Ghana, it presents an opportunity to strengthen its international cultural presence and encourage diaspora engagement that extends beyond tourism.
Ultimately, the project’s success will depend on delivery. A lasting legacy will require accessible educational resources, sustained community participation, transparent management and practical opportunities for cultural and economic cooperation.
As the initiative develops, diaspora communities will be watching to see how its ambitions translate into programmes they can participate in and benefits they can experience.
