Toronto’s Yonge Dundas Square renamed ‘Sankofa Square’ in honour of African heritage

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and the Ghana Tourism Authority joined thousands in Toronto, Canada, on Saturday, August 23, 2025, to celebrate the official renaming of the iconic Yonge Dundas Square to “Sankofa Square.”

The renaming coincided with the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition and follows a two-year consultation process led by Toronto’s Recognition Review Community Advisory Committee. The move came after concerns that Henry Dundas, the square’s original namesake, played a major role in delaying the abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

Speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, described the event as a moment of justice and healing.

“The renaming of Yonge Dundas Square to Sankofa Square is not merely a change of name; it is an act of remembrance, reclamation, and reparations. It is a bold step towards justice and healing, not just for the people of Toronto but for all Africans, at home and in the Diaspora,” she said.

She added that the name Sankofa reflects Ghana’s longstanding role in Pan-Africanism, linking it to initiatives such as PANAFEST, Emancipation, the Year of Return, Beyond the Return, and the Black Star Experience.

“The Sankofa Square should therefore be a living space of dialogue, cultural exchange, education and empowerment,” Hon. Gomashie emphasized.

Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson, also underscored the significance of the occasion.

“The story of the African Diaspora is woven into the fabric of Canada and the world. Sankofa teaches us that history must be faced together and that healing is collective,” he said, announcing plans to unveil the Sankofa Freedom Movement Project in Toronto next year.

The day-long celebration, held under the theme “Looking Back, Building Forward,” featured cultural performances, art, storytelling, Ghanaian food, and exhibitions, with strong participation from the Ghanaian Canadian Association of Ontario (GCAO).

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and City Councillor Chris Moise pledged continued support for the project, stressing Canada’s commitment to strengthening ties with Ghana.

The name Sankofa, derived from Ghana, symbolizes learning from the past to build a better future. The City Council voted 17 to 6 in favor of the change, describing it as part of efforts to confront anti-Black racism and foster inclusivity.

Representing the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), a delegation led by Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi and Sena Sadat Abdulai promoted Ghana as a preferred tourism destination during the event.

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