The city of Toronto, Canada, has officially changed the name of its renowned Yonge Dundas Square to Sankofa Square during a historic ceremony that took place on Saturday, August 23, 2025.
This launch coincided with the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, highlighting the day’s symbolic importance for both Ghana and the African diaspora.
The renaming process followed a two-year consultation led by Toronto’s Recognition Review Community Advisory Committee (CAC), which included Black and Indigenous leaders, residents, and business owners.
This initiative was prompted by a petition advocating for the removal of the name “Dundas,” in reference to Henry Dundas, an 18th-century Scottish politician, who has been criticized for his role in delaying the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.
Following extensive community discussions, the CAC reached a consensus on the name “Sankofa Square,” which is deeply rooted in Ghanaian heritage and symbolizes the importance of learning from the past to create a better future.
The official launch, themed “Looking Back, Building Forward,” included cultural performances, art exhibitions, storytelling, sports activities, sales of Ghanaian-made products, food, and displays of paintings and sculptures.
The Ghanaian Canadian Association of Ontario (GCAO) played a leading role in the participation of the Ghanaian community, showcasing the richness of Ghanaian culture and traditions.
Representing President John Dramani Mahama at the event were the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, along with the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson.
In her address, Madam Gomashie said the renaming was “not merely a change of name, but an act of remembrance, reclamation, and reparations.”
She described it as a bold step toward justice and healing for Africans both on the continent and in the diaspora.
“In renaming the Square, Toronto sends a powerful message to the rest of the world that it is possible to face history with honesty, dismantle legacies of oppression, and commit to building an inclusive future,” she added.
She further tied the moment to Ghana’s Black Star Experience, the government’s flagship cultural programme that builds on earlier initiatives such as PANAFEST/Emancipation, the Year of Return, and Beyond the Return.
Deputy Minister Quayson highlighted the shared history of the African diaspora within Canada, stressing that “healing is collective” and must involve all communities. He also announced the upcoming Sankofa Freedom Movement Project, set to be unveiled in Toronto next year.
On behalf of the Canadian Government, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Councillor Chris Moise reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to supporting the project while deepening bilateral ties with Ghana.
The decision to rename the square was passed by Toronto City Council in a 17–6 vote. City officials say the new name reflects Toronto’s resolve to confront anti-Black racism, acknowledge the enduring scars of slavery, and foster truth, reconciliation, and inclusivity.
The word Sankofa, of Ghanaian origin, translates to “Go back and get it.” Its symbol is a bird with its body facing forward but head turned back, retrieving an egg—representing survival, remembrance, and learning from history.
Also present were representatives of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), including Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi, Deputy Director of Corporate Affairs, and Sena Sadat Abdulai, Project Officer.
Speaking on behalf of GTA CEO Mrs. Maame Efua Houadjeto, they used the occasion to market Ghana as a prime destination for Canadians, diasporans, and global tourists.
