Sankofa is a fourteen-year-old girl traveling across Ghana, known by many as The Daughter of Death. As a young girl named Fatima, she absorbed a mysterious glowing seed that fell from the sky, granting her the deadly power to kill anyone in her presence. She travels by foot, unable to interact with modern technology without destroying it, and tries to understand her burden while looking for the stolen seed.

Movenpick is a small red fox who escapes from a nearby zoo and eventually chooses to accompany Sankofa across Ghana. As an animal, he remains unaffected by Sankofa's deadly power, making him uniquely capable of existing in her presence. He maintains a wild nature, often keeping a slight distance but offering silent companionship.

Alhaja is the pragmatic and welcoming owner of Mr. Starlit Electronics in RoboTown. She stands out from the general population because she does not fear Sankofa, instead inviting the girl into her home and offering her a place to stay. She bridges the gap between modern technology and traditional culture, collecting ceremonial masks while selling advanced electronics.

The Bodyguard is a man who wears a white suit and an eyepatch, working for a local politician. He recognizes the monetary and technological value of the alien seed Fatima finds. Driven by greed and an understanding of the seed's worth to the LifeGen Corporation, he takes drastic action to claim it for himself.

Kusi is a corrupt local politician hoping to fund his campaign by acquiring and selling extraterrestrial artifacts. He visits Fatima's family home to purchase the glowing seed she discovered, representing the intrusion of outside greed into the family's quiet life.

Fatima's father is a resident of Wulugu who struggles with the limitations of their small-town life. When given the opportunity, he decides to sell the mysterious seed Fatima finds, hoping the money will drastically improve his family's living conditions.

Fatima's mother is a caretaker in the family's household in Wulugu. She represents the domestic stability and warmth of Fatima's early childhood before a tragic rupture forces the young girl to leave her home behind.

Fenuku is Fatima's older brother. He is curious about her strange new abilities after she absorbs the mist from the seed, encouraging her to test her limits. He enjoys carving wooden bird figurines, particularly the Sankofa bird.

Fatima's grandfather is an encouraging figure from her early childhood. He spends time with her gazing at constellations, recognizing her imagination and creativity by giving her a special nickname that reflects her habit of drawing in the dirt.

Sister Kumi is a religious woman at the RoboTown mosque who previously worked as an electrical engineer and programmed the town's AI robocop. She advises Sankofa to repress her deadly power and conform to human society by wearing a hijab and practicing religious devotion.

Edgar is an enthusiastic American boy living in a large modern mansion in Ghana. Unlike the adults and his sister, he is fascinated by Sankofa's rumors and eagerly asks her to demonstrate her glowing power.

Ye is a young American girl whose family is hosting a Christmas dinner in their Tamale mansion. She is deeply frightened of Sankofa and reacts with terror when the older girl demonstrates her power.

The Gateman works at the large white mansion in Tamale. He harbors deep anger toward Sankofa, blaming her for the merciful death of his brother, and attempts to exact violent revenge against her in the street.

Kwesi is a friend of Fatima's father in Wulugu. He brings the news that Parliament Member Kusi was robbed in his SUV, setting off the realization that the mysterious seed has been stolen by the bodyguard.

Auntie Nana is a relative of Fatima who appears to her in a dream. Though Fatima always considered her strict or mean, Auntie Nana serves as a motivating force, reminding the girl to take control of her life just as Nana did when she earned her PhD.