aBOUT US

It was in the middle of the 1990s that some brothers and sisters from Togo, who were already members of the Ewe Canadian Cultural Organization of Ontario (ECCOO), felt the necessity of putting together the Togolese community, which was small but growing in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), in order to meet some needs within the community and at the same time help Canadians know Togo.

All known Togolese living in the GTA (whether they are members of other organizations or not) were then informed of the intention of creating an association. After a few meetings and as things started to fall into place, the idea arose about giving the group a name and registering it. Then after various discussions and reflections, it was decided to call it: Association of Togolese of Ontario. Given the nature and objectives of the association, the idea of adding the word “culture” was raised. That’s how the association was officially registered with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs under the name: Cultural Association of Togolese of Ontario.

After the association was registered, an inauguration was required in order to ensure visibility to other organizations and communities having similar goals in the area and to provincial and federal governments. The inauguration date was set for April 30, 2000, a date that coincided with the celebration of the 40th anniversary of Togo’s independence.

All active members at the time put in a lot of efforts to make that event an undeniable success. But there are special thanks to the members of the Executive Committee led at the time by Kuesi Amegah-Wovoe; the other members of that committee were Sewa Wilson, Domenou Akakpo and Jean Tete Benissan.

Thanks to the collective efforts of its members and the Executive Committee, the association sent educational material to Togo, such as computers and books, as well as cash to help a school for impaired-hearing children.

The association is run by an Executive Committee in charge of conducting day-to-day activities.

It is made up of:

•     Celestine Agbemadon, President
•     Max Zoumari, Secretary-General
•     Sewa Wilson, Treasurer
•     Yolande Wilson, Coordinator of Social and Cultural Activities

MISSION
CATO is a non-profit organization aiming to educate, preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of Togolese living in the province of Ontario, Canada.