Toronto’s iconic public space, formerly Yonge-Dundas Square, has been officially renamed Sankofa Square, honouring Ghanaian culture and acknowledging a painful historical legacy.
On August 23, 2025, thousands gathered in downtown Toronto as the city unveiled the new name, Sankofa Square, following a petition signed by more than 14,000 residents. The campaign called for the removal of the Dundas name, linked to Henry Dundas — an 18th-century Scottish politician whose actions delayed the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.
The word Sankofa comes from the Akan language of Ghana and means “to go back and retrieve.” The name symbolises the importance of reflecting on the past to move forward with purpose.
The inauguration was a vibrant display of Ghanaian culture and pride. Attendees dressed in the red, gold, green, and black of Ghana’s national colours, waving flags, dancing to traditional rhythms, and sharing cultural performances. Elders offered blessings, youth groups performed, and families gathered to mark the moment.
For Toronto’s Ghanaian community and the wider African diaspora, Sankofa Square is more than a public space — it is a powerful symbol of resilience, resistance, and the ongoing importance of remembering one’s roots.
Madam Juliet Opoku, Vice President of the Ghana Canadian Association of Ontario, expressed her pride, calling the square “a beacon of hope for all Africans.” The ceremony was chaired by Hon. Dzifa Abla Gomashie, Ghana’s Minister of Tourism and Creative Arts, underscoring the deep cultural ties between Ghana and Toronto.
Watch a report by Citi News at the Grand Opening below:
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Story by Gideon Agyemang | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Kelvin B. Annor-Yeboah
