Hands Across Africa team call on Deputy Minister of Tourism

• Mr. Mark Okraku Mantey (fourth right) in a photograph with Hands Across Africa team

The Hands Across Africa team paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), Mark Okraku-Mantey on June 28, 2022, at the Ministry.

The Goodwill Ambassador of St. Lucia, Taj Weekes who led the delegation stated that one of the major goals of this agenda is to look at the seven pillars of the ‘Beyond The Return initiative’, which is to “Give Back to Ghana,” as well as donate to charity.

He disclosed that the Hands Across Africa Musical Festival and Expo under the banner of ‘They Often Cry Outreach’ (TOCO) in collaboration with MOTAC, Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Diaspora Affairs – Office of the President, Beyond The Return Secretariat (BTR) and Yoks Investment Ltd. is set to take place on July 23, 2022, at the Accra Sports Stadium under the theme, “Re-igniting the Spirit of Emancipation”.

According to them, some of the top International and Ghana’s finest artistes who would be performing at the event include, MzVee, Brinsley Forde (Aswad), Eric Donaldson, Okyeame Kwame, DSP Kofi Sarpong, Blakk Rasta, Roc Riva, Taj Weekes and many others.

As part of his remarks, Mr.Okraku- Mantey, assured the team that the ministry and its agencies were ready to support TOCO Foundation and Hands Across Africa to achieve their stated objectives and vision in Ghana.

Hand Across Africa (Festival & Expo) leverages its platform to help the youth to expand their network for new possibilities.

Taj Weekes confirmed that the charity has provided 76 football scholarships to children in the Caribbean, and that they are in Ghana to replicate it.

The Hands Across Africa team paid also courtesy call on the Director of Diaspora Affairs, Office of the President, Mr. Akwasi Awuah Ababio to formally announce the event and their objectives to him.

Present in the meeting were Mrs Angela Serieux Weekes (Co-Founder and Creative Director of TOCO Foundation – Hands Across Africa), Mr. Seth Ocran( President of Car Rentals Association, (YOKS Investments) and President, TOCO Foundation Ghana), Rev. Jones Aruna Nelson( Head, Corporate Affairs, Ghana Tourism Authority), Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi( Deputy Head, Ghana Tourism Authority), Mrs Constance Adomaa Takyi (PRO, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture ), Elorm Beenie, Creative Content Director of Hands Across Africa, among others.