Sankofa

Francis Kofi Adjei Aggrey is Anna’s father. Born in Bamana, Francis moved to London to study engineering at university. There, he experienced racism from white Londoners and was subsequently drawn into an African leftist movement, where he adopted anti-colonialist and socialist ideals. While boarding at the house of Bronwen Bain, the then 25-year-old Francis had an affair with the 18-year-old Bronwen, which—unbeknownst to him—resulted in her pregnancy and the birth of their daughter, Anna.

After returning to Bamana, Kofi becomes a guerrilla fighter and the head of the Diamond Coast Liberation Group. He ascends to the office of prime minister and occupies the position for 30 controversial years. Although his character is not based on any one person, Kofi nonetheless represents an amalgamation of many West African leaders who rose to power in Africa’s post-colonial period. His campaign follows a pattern common to such historical figures, for he rises to power on lofty promises, and his rule eventually devolves into a checkered, decades-long term rife with corruption.

However, despite his misdeeds, Kofi is not a straightforward antagonist. Chibundu Onuzo complicates the character considerably, especially since the young Francis was initially motivated by altruistic impulses before he began abusing his power during the undescribed decades between the 1960s and the narrative present. Ultimately, the story implies that Kofi achieves important progress in liberating Bamana, but the narrative also acknowledges that true liberation and lasting change are difficult objectives that take time to achieve.

Bronwen Bain is Anna’s mother. After Francis returned to Bamana, Bronwen raised Anna on her own. Although she was a loving mother, Bronwen failed to understand the complexities of Anna’s experience as a child with a diverse racial background. In an effort not to “other Anna,” Bronwen adopted an attitude of willful ignorance toward the problems that Anna faced. She often dismissed Anna’s experiences with racism, brushing off racist incidents as misunderstandings or mistakes, and this parenting choice left Anna feeling disconnected from her full identity. As the adult Anna delves into the life of her father, she also works through her complex feelings about her mother. She resents Bronwen for her failures but recognizes that none of the harm her mother did was intentional. Ultimately, Anna forgives Bronwen, understanding that her mother did the best she could with the knowledge she had.

Rose Graham is Anna’s 25-year-old daughter. Rose is an outspoken and confident young woman who at times clashes with her mother, though they generally have a strong relationship. Although Rose shares her mother’s diverse background, she (unlike Anna) is often assumed to be a white woman and is therefore largely disconnected from her Black heritage. Like her father and grandmother, Rose believes that race is negligible, a belief that is based in her privileged view of the world, for because of her physical appearance, she never has to encounter the racist comments and incidents that Anna has always had to endure. At the end of Sankofa, Anna hopes to bring Rose to Bamana so that she can connect with her heritage more fully.