On August 23, 2025 Toronto officially inaugurated Sankofa Square, with the first-ever celebration of Sankofa Day!
Timed to coincide the the UNESCO International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, Sankofa Day, which also marks the day the Haitain Revolution began, will become a new official observance in the City of Toronto events calendar.
The day-long event was attended by dignitaries from City Hall, and featured remarks from the President of the Ghanaian Canadian Association, and representatives of the Ghanaian Government. There were performances by dancers from the Mississauga of the Credit First Nation, DJs Jerk x Jollof, Afrique Like Me, and Canadian hip hop legend Kardinal Offishall!
Other events included a screening of films from the Caribbean Film Festival, a 10K Fun Run, and an awards program from the iDream foundation.
During the day’s festivities plans were announced to transform Sankofa Square into a year round commemorative space that will include a monument commemorating the victims of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
The establishment of Sankofa Day was and is part of the City of Toronto’s education and outreach program connected to efforts to combat anti-Black racism. It was in part an outcome of the public history campaign to address the ongoing commemoration of First Viscount Melville, Henry Dundas, for whom Dundas Street in Toronto is named.
To learn more about Sankofa Day click here: https://www.sankofasquare.ca/sankofa-day.
In the meantime enjoy these pics from this historic occasion!