Hands Across Africa Launched

It was a passion filled night, infused with overwhelming enthusiasm, with a genuine desire to impact positively on young people in Africa.

Inspired by Mr Seth Yeboah Ocran, CEO of YOKS Investment Company Limited in partnership with Ambassador Taj Weekes and Angela, Taj Weekes, leaders of the They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO) to operationalize a charity concert to raise funds to support disadvantaged young people in various communities in Ghana; particularly in the Greater Accra region.

The Hands Across Africa Festival and Expo, seeks to serve as a cross-continent initiative with the objective to leverage the platform of reggae music and to extend support to young people on the downside of social and development issues.

Through youth sports talent exposure, support, promotion and capacity building.

During the launch, Mr. Seth Yeboah Ocran,YOKS Investment Limited and Executive Director of TOCO foundation, expressed that the event is to bring much needed change and shape the future outlook of marginalized children in the Ghanaian society.

Indicating that “TOCO Foundation, YOKS Investment Limited and the Ghana Tourism Authority are collaborating to bring to Ghana what is intended to an ongoing effort with a tangible impact on Ghanaian youth. Its overarching philosophy is that children are our collective heritage; one we can safeguard with inclusion and affirmation strategies.”

Mr. Seth Yeboah Ocran continued to stipulate that Hands Across Africa Festival & Expo leverages its platform to help the youth to broaden their horizon, through this exposure, imagine new possibilities, which can create a shift in the trajectory of their lives.

In his address, Ambassador Taj Weekes, founder of TOCO Foundation communicated that, the benefit of the initiative will help to connect bridges of opportunities for young people.

“I think I speak for many when I say that the opportunity to walk this soil is the dream for most people of African descent. And it is this inherent longing that makes the Ghanaian people, the landscapes and the sense of community so familiar for us.”

“We thank you tremendously for the opportunity to widen our TOCO community, and in so doing, build new bridges that connect people with each other, and link youth with opportunity and in some small way, transform lives,” Ambassador Taj Weekes expressed.

The initiative which has overwhelming support of the Ghana Tourism Authority, had its able and affable CEO, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, to address the anticipating and enthusiastic audience at the launch saying, AGOOO, AGOOO, AGOOO, as a prelude to his address, as he expressed that, the initiative aligns with the ‘Give back Ghana’ pillar of Beyond The Return for which reason the Authority will accord TOCO Foundation the needed support.

TOCO Foundation is a USA/Ghana based non-profit organization with a mission to raise awareness and address the issues that affect the youth through advocacy and social support. The organisation’s broad focus also includes the sustainable agriculture, environment, health and wellness, diabetes and gender equity and the popular, TOCO Youth Tournament – a college player showcase, which aims at exhibiting Ghana’s football talent for US college coaches in the hope of securing football scholarships.

The Africa Festival and Expo & Youth Tournament will take place in the months of July and September respectively this year.

By: Hector Wulff, Ghana News Service