Accra, Ghana: Tuesday 16th July 2022–

Ghana Tourism Authority and They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO) has announced “The Pre-Emancipation Day Festival” dubbed Hands Across Africa scheduled to take place Saturday 23rd July 2022 at the National Theatre, Accra.

Hands Across Africa is an initiative by the Ghana registered foundation; They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO) of H.E Taj Weekes, a Goodwill Ambassador of the Government of Saint Lucia and UNICEF Ambassador for children in the Eastern Caribbean, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Beyond the Return Secretariat, Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Diaspora Affairs (Office of the President) and YOKS Investments.

The initiative focuses on changing the life chances of marginalized and under-privileged youth using engagement and mentorship through sports, creative arts and other educational enrichment and support programs.
It carries cultural exchange and a social agenda to raise funds to help close gaps of need in education, youth at risk and public health across the African continent.
This involves a group of international reggae and local artistes collaborating to stage a series of festivals – mass concerts and expos, to raise funds that will go directly to support non-profit programs for human empowerment, poverty alleviation and social support by vetted agencies of state, local government, and humanitarian missions to vulnerable communities.

A number of illustrious names from the Reggae industry – both internationally and from Africa are associated with this Festival. Therefore, a secondary objective of the initiative is foster collaboration between international and local artists and ultimately broaden the professional network of our African counterparts. This year’s grand festival and expo event promises to be super exciting as legendary artistes;

Taj Weekes : A singer and songwriter who heads a dynamic reggae band named, Adowa. He is also an unwavering, energetic humanitarian, who founded his children’s charity, They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO). Taj Weeks personality is summarized as Musician, Poet, Humanitarian.

Eric Donaldson : Jamaican reggae singer and songwriter. He pursued a solo career, and submitted “Cherry Oh Baby” to the 1971 Jamaican Festival Song Competition, going on to win the competition and giving him a big Jamaican hit single. He has won the competition six times.

Okyeame Kwame : Ghanaian rap doctor, musician, songwriter, creative director and entrepreneur.

MzVee : Ghanaian singer, Afropop, dancehall and R&B artiste who has several notable awards to her credit.

Black Rasta : Ghanaian reggae/Kuchoko artiste, dub poet and a radio presenter of Zylofon FM.
As well as other notable artistes would be present.

Tickets Are Available
Kindly Dial *713*33*872# or visit https://egtks.com/e/34165
For More Enquiries, visit www.handsacrossafrica.com
Or Call 020 879 7141

The Hands Across Africa team paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Mark Okraku-Mantey on 28th June, 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 “Give Back to Ghana,” as well as donating to charity.

He also noted that the Hands Across Africa Musical Festival and Expo under the banner of THEY OFTEN CRY OUTREACH (TOCO) is in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (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”.

He revealed that some of the Top International and Ghana’s finest artists who will be performing at the Hands Across Africa Music Festival and Expo are; MzVee, Brinsley Forde (Aswad), Eric Donaldson, Okyeame Kwame, DSP Kofi Sarpong, Blakk Rasta, Roc Riva, Taj Weekes and many more.

The Deputy Minister, Hon. Mark Okraku- Mantey, as part of his remarks, assured the team that the Ministry is ready to support TOCO FOUNDATION AND HANDS ACROSS AFRICA to achieve their stated objectives and vision in Ghana.

He noted that the Ministry is delighted to have Mr. Taj Weekes (Founder of TOCO Foundation) and his wife, Mrs Angela Serieux Weekes and that Ghana is ready to welcome diasporans into our communities because we, Ghanaians, want to give them a sense of belonging.

He added that Ghanaians recognize them as part of us and will be delighted to collaborate with them as one people because we are all Africans.

The Deputy Minister urged the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Beyond the Return Secretariat as well as the Private Sector, GHATOF and the Trade Associations to also give TOCO FOUNDATION and HANDS ACROSS AFRICA the necessary push to make the Musical Concert and Expo a success. He took the opportunity to invite Ghanaians to the 2022 Emancipation Day Celebrations under the theme, ” Our Heritage, Our Strength” and sub-themed, “Re-engaging to consolidate our developmental agenda”.

He assured Mr Taj weekes and his wife of the Ministry’s support and thanked them for their philanthropic work and concert they have put together to give back to the Ghanaian society.

Since Taj Weekes and his team were in Ghana for the Year of Return and now Beyond the Return, he assured them that the Ministry is currently working on the Homeland Return Bill that would allow diasporans to be fully integrated into the Ghanaian society to have a permanent abode in the country when finally passed by Parliament. This will give our fellow Diasporans the opportunity to have privileges that every Ghanaian enjoys thereby giving them an Identity.

The Founder and Executive Director of TOCO, Taj Weekes, a Goodwill Ambassador of the Government of Saint Lucia and UNICEF Ambassador for children in the Eastern Caribbean expressed appreciation to the Deputy Minister, Hon. Mark Okraku – Mantey for the opportunity to outline their vision and support from the Ministry in diverse ways.

He was emphatic that The Hands Across Africa Festival and Expo is conceptualized as a cross- continent initiative starting in Ghana and its aim and objective is to establish the youth and Sports Development Programs and also to support in providing funded international football scholarship programmes

He noted that both Local and International charitable organizations are collaborating to bring relief to the Ghanaian youth. The social outreach initiative called Hands Across Africa by They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO) has it’s overarching philosophy that children are our collective heritage; ones we should safeguard with inclusion and affirmation strategies.

HANDS ACROSS AFRICA (Festival & Expo) leverages its platform to help the youth to expand their network and through this exposure, imagine new possibilities, which can create a shift in the trajectory of their lives. The premiere edition will take place in Ghana on 23rd July, 2022 (TOCO Foundation https://www.theyoftencryoutreach).

Taj Weekes confirmed that the charity has provided 76 football scholarships to children in the Caribbean, and that they are in Ghana to replicate the charitable work they have been doing there.

His Excellency Taj Weekes added that Hands Across Africa focuses on cultural exchange and social intervention programs to raise funds in supporting society to reduce socio – economic gaps related to needs such as Education,under privileged children, young persons with disabilities and Public health concerns in Ghana and across the African continent. Proceeds from the Concert however, will go to charity.

Present in the meeting were Goodwill Ambassador, Taj Weekes (Founder and Chairman of TOCO Foundation – Hands Across Africa), 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 (Director, Corporate Affairs, Ghana Tourism Authority), Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi (Principal CA Officer, GTA), Mrs Constance Adomaa Takyi (PRO, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture ), Elorm Beenie, Creative Content Director of Hands Across Africa, and Duah Janet Princess , National Service Personal at the Ministry