BY Grace Zigah
The National Democratic Congress government, in collaboration with the Ghana Tourism Authority, celebrated the official opening of “Sankofa Square” in Toronto, Canada.
The event marked a significant milestone in the history of Ghana and the African diaspora, as it commemorates the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition.
The Significance Of Sankofa
The name “Sankofa” originates from Ghana and means “Go back and get it,” symbolizing learning from the past to build a progressive future.
The name is represented by an Adinkra image of a bird, with its body and feet facing forward, looking backward to collect an egg from its back or holding an egg in its mouth.
Sankofa is a symbol of survival, reclamation, and remembrance.
A New Era For Toronto
The renaming of Yonge Dundas Square to Sankofa Square is a result of a two-year consultation process led by the Toronto city’s Recognition Review Community Advisory Committee.
The committee, comprising black and indigenous leaders, residents, and business owners, reached a consensus on the name “Sankofa Square” after careful consideration and research.
The name change reflects Toronto’s commitment to confronting anti-black racism, acknowledging the impact of the transatlantic slave trade and slavery, and fostering a more inclusive and equitable community.
Celebrations And Cultural Exchange
The Sankofa Square celebrations featured cultural performances, art installations, music, sports, storytelling, and the sale of made-in-Ghana products, Ghanaian foods, paintings, and sculptures.
The Toronto Ghanaian community, led by the Ghanaian Canadian Association of Ontario (GCAO), participated in the celebrations with pride and pageantry.
Government Representation
The event was attended by government officials, including Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, and James Gyakye Quayeson, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs.
They represented President John Dramani Mahama, and reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting Ghanaian culture and heritage.
The Black Star Experience
The Minister, Gomashie highlighted the government’s flagship program, the Black Star Experience, which aims to promote cultural immersion and exchange.
She noted that the Sankofa Square should be a living space for dialogue, cultural exchange, education, and empowerment.
