It was one of those perfect Chicago days—the kind that makes you forget the brutal winter that held the city hostage for weeks. With the temperature hovering around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, the parks were alive—children chasing each other through fields of green grass, families gathered around picnic tables, and sports fans erupting in cheers at Washington Park, just steps away from where GhanaFest is usually held.
But something was missing.
Among the many groups enjoying the beautiful day, we stumbled upon a Ghanaian family grilling ribs over an open flame, laughter in the air as smoke curled upward. As soon as they spotted us, their smiles were briefly replaced with curiosity.
“Why was GhanaFest canceled?” one of them asked, flipping a sizzling slab of meat.
It wasn’t a casual question—it was a real concern, a frustration shared by many in the community.
A Canceled Tradition That Shouldn’t Have Been
We explained that concerns surrounding recent ICE activities—including the arrest of both legal and undocumented immigrants—played a role in the decision.
The reaction was instant.
“That’s baloney!” a family member exclaimed. “Do you see ICE anywhere here? We drove past several parks on our way here, and they’re packed with people. Are you kidding me?”
They weren’t alone in their disbelief. Another friend, who proudly stated he had attended GhanaFest for seven consecutive years, shook his head in disappointment.
“I can’t believe such a massive, historic festival would be canceled over such a flimsy excuse,” he said. “How many ICE raids have you heard of in Chicago parks? It makes no sense!”
To get an informed answer, we contacted a local immigration officer in the Chicago suburbs.
What Are the Facts About ICE Operations in Chicago?
The officer explained, “There is no specific, publicly available data detailing the exact number of ICE raids that have occurred in Chicago’s parks.”
While ICE has conducted enforcement operations nationwide since the beginning of the year, he clarified that there is no concrete evidence that raids have targeted city parks in particular.
“It’s possible that some raids may have occurred near parks, but there’s no widespread or documented pattern suggesting parks are being used as enforcement zones.”
Most importantly, he reassured that if someone is a legal resident, they should not fear being out in public and enjoying events.
A Community’s Strength Lies in Unity, Not Fear
So, the bigger question remains—why was GhanaFest really canceled? More importantly, was this decision driven by genuine concerns or by an unnecessary climate of fear?
If festivals—especially ones as deeply rooted in tradition as GhanaFest—are being abandoned based on speculation, then we as a community must question how we respond to uncertainty. Do we retreat into isolation at every rumor? Or do we stand firm in our presence, our unity, and our right to celebrate?
Chicago’s parks tell a different story today. They are full of laughter, movement, and people who refuse to let fear and speculation dictate their lives.
As the ribs sizzled and the conversation deepened, the Ghanaian family agreed on one thing: “Next year, this festival needs to happen—no excuses.” Perhaps that is the takeaway from this beautiful Chicago day: Community thrives when it stands together, not when it succumbs to unnecessary fear.
Source : Sankofaonline.com
Warm days in Chicago bring people together to celebrate what makes the city unique. A big part of this is its rich ethnic diversity, shown through events like Ghanafest. It’s upsetting that Ghanafest was canceled so quickly, without careful thought. We need leaders who can look ahead and make decisions based on facts and not fear.
WELL, THE SAME FAITH HAS BEFALLEN CINCO DE MAYO THAT BIG MEXICAN FESTIVAL
Please with all due respect don’t compare their festival to Ghanafest. The organizers laid down compelling reasons which includes : 1) The organizers have made their stance crystal clear—fear has driven half of their sponsors to pull out, leaving them with no choice but to reconsider their plans.
2) Their community is deeply shaken, with fear spreading like wildfire and showing no signs of abating.
3) Last year’s event was a wake-up call, plagued by disruptions and an emergency rerouting that screamed danger. The looming threat of being targeted is now too great to ignore.Was Ghanafest last year disrupted in any way? As for GNC, have they offered any compelling reasons or hard-hitting statistics to back their position? Clearly not! Check the city of Chicago festival calendar and tell us how many festivals are canceled? Willl the ice agents be going round asking for ppls ID? Dumb decision!
Francis, did you know they cancelled Cinco de Mayo because of the attacks by rival gangs on the streets? Did you know they were planning a revenge attack this year? Do we march on the streets or have gangs at Ghanafest? Don’t compare apples to oranges, please. Ghanafest was and has been peaceful.
It seems like they’re aware of their mistakes and the impact it has caused. Sometimes, acknowledging an error is the first step toward making things right.
It seems like they’re aware of their mistakes and the impact it has caused. Sometimes, acknowledging an error is the first step toward making things right.
Please do not blame the Organizers too much,
Probably there were some compelling factors that necessitated the cancellation. I am pretty sure they are reading all your comments and will have a wide consultations before taking decisions like this nature in the near future. Let’s pardon them.