Fokhus — The Encourager

The love has been overwhelming. 🤍 Over the past weeks, our family has been held by something we can only describe as grace. The calls. The messages. The prayers. The faces that showed up. The community that refused to let us grieve alone. Thank you. From the deepest part of us — thank you. Mom spent her whole life building this. She never saw people as clients or customers. To her, everyone was family — an extension of her own. And what we have felt since her passing is proof that the family she built felt exactly the same way about her. Nana Helena Akohene-Mensah was a woman of open hands, open arms, and an open heart. And a month from now, we gather to honour her the way she deserves — fully, together, and with love. ———— You are warmly invited to celebrate the life and legacy of our beloved Nana Helena Akohene-Mensah March 1954 – March 2026 FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2026 Viewing | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Capital Funeral Home, 3700 Prince of Wales Dr, Ottawa Dress Code: Black SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2026 Viewing | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Funeral Service & Burial | 11:00 AM Capital Funeral Home, 3700 Prince of Wales Dr, Ottawa Dress Code: Black Celebration of Life | 6:00 PM Layla Banquet Hall, 6179 Perth St, Richmond ON Dress Code: Black / Black + Red SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2026 Thanksgiving Service | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Living Praise Ministries, 18 Cleopatra Dr, Nepean ON Dress Code: All White / White + Black For more information, livestream links, and to leave a message for the family: 🌐 nanahelena.com 📧 [email protected] All are welcome. Come celebrate her well. — The Akohene-Mensah & Buah / Boah Family 📸 inFokhus Productions #NanaHelena #CallToGlory #Homegoing #GhanaianFuneral #Ottawa #CelebrationOfLife #MotherOfMany #HerLegacyLives #Community #Family #Ottawa #Ghanaian

One week. It still doesn't feel real. And yet — the love has been. Last week we gathered as a family, as a community, as a people — to observe the one week passing of our beloved Nana Helena Akohene-Mensah. And what I witnessed left me undone in the best possible way. The outpouring. The presence. The tears mixed with laughter. The stories. The food. The prayers. The faces that showed up — some I hadn't seen in years, some I had never met — all there because of one woman. One life. One legacy. My Mother. Someone said it perfectly: "Your family is loved by many of us, and we will support you always. Auntie Helena's great legacy." Another: "You guys are loved. Your Mum is loved. The community is behind you all the way." I couldn't have said it better. That is exactly what we felt. That is exactly what she built. Mom never saw people as clients or customers. To her, everyone was family. And moments like last week show that the family she built — far wider than blood — feels the same way about her. We are heavy. But we are held. --- With that, we want the world to know: The funeral and burial services for our beloved Nana Helena Akohene-Mensah will be held as follows: VIEWING Friday, May 8 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Saturday, May 9 | 10:00 AM - 11:00AM Capital Funeral Home, Ottawa FUNERAL SERVICE & BURIAL Saturday, May 9 | 11:00 AM Capital Funeral Home, Ottawa CELEBRATION OF LIFE Saturday, May 9 | 6:00 PM Layla Banquet Hall, Richmond ON Dress: Black / Black + Red THANKSGIVING SERVICE Sunday, May 10 | 11:00 AM Living Praise Ministries, Nepean ON Dress: All White / White + Black For more information and questions: 📧 [email protected]

IN LOVING MEMORY OF HELENA AKOHENE-MENSAH It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Helena Akohene-Mensah, of Nana’s Fashion and Beauty, who departed this life peacefully at home in the early hours of Sunday, March 22, 2026. She was a devoted and loving mother, a faithful wife of over 50 years, and a cherished pillar within her community. Known to many simply as Nana, her life was marked by compassion, grace, generosity, and an unwavering dedication to others. Her entrepreneurial spirit, tireless service, and warm hospitality left a lasting imprint on all who encountered her. A familiar and beloved presence within the Ghanaian community and abroad, Nana was always willing to lend a helping hand. Her contributions, including her involvement with the Ottawa community, and her selfless commitment to the well-being of others, have touched countless lives. She leaves behind her beloved husband, four sons, grandchildren, extended family, and a wide community of friends and loved ones who will continue to honour her legacy. We kindly ask that you keep our family in your thoughts and prayers during this time. ONE-WEEK OBSERVATION In accordance with Ghanaian tradition, we will be gathering as family, friends, and community to honour her life, share in remembrance, and formally announce upcoming funeral arrangements. Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026 Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM Further details will be shared in due course. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” John 14:1–3 (NLT) May her soul rest in perfect peace, and may the comfort of the Holy Spirit uphold every heart during this time.

Meet the team behind the magic. Every moment captured takes intention, coordination, and a team committed to excellence. This is what it looks like behind the scenes. This is a glimpse of the people behind the scenes helping bring the story to life. @fokhus @ehkohmedia @handledbykwess @namicreations_ #adoth26 #african #africa #africanincanada #ottawaafricans #media #photography #videography #contentcreation

African Day on the Hill was a powerful celebration of culture, leadership, and community. From vibrant performances to meaningful conversations, the evening brought together leaders, creatives, entrepreneurs, and community members to celebrate the richness and influence of African heritage. These moments deserve to be seen, remembered, and shared. We’re excited to now release the public gallery from the event so everyone can experience a glimpse of what unfolded that night. Take a look, relive the moments, and feel the energy that filled the room. Gallery available at infokhus.com/adoth2026 If you’re planning an event that deserves to be captured with intention, we would love to capture it. Unleash your vision.

In this season, make it an active discipline to remind yourself of who you are. Not occasionally. Not when you feel like it. Not only when things are going well. Actively. Because if you don’t speak to yourself intentionally, your situation will. If you don’t remind yourself of truth, your mind will fill the silence with lies. You are not a failure. You are not behind. You are not forgotten. You are not a waste of potential. And hear me clearly: YOU ARE LOVED. Not because you performed well. Not because you got it all right. Not because you met every expectation. You are loved because you were designed with intention. You are loved because Heaven chose you. You are loved because your existence carries purpose. In this season, stay in The Secret Place. Stay in His Presence. Remain on His altar. Your life requires too much to run on your own strength. Grace is not optional. It is necessary. Remind yourself daily: I am loved. I am called. I am covered. I am not alone. And when the pressure rises, read it again. Say it again. Believe it again. YOU ARE LOVED. I’m Fokhus. And I build brands by building people. Follow for more.

The Portrait Lighting Workshop was a resounding success and I couldn’t have done it without you guys. It took a whole village and I appreciate the support! @olabisirm @fokhus @cheta_events @fabolousbanji @libartystudios @kizitopng @da_veena @ituajude @the.alfe @theofficialannessa @allmicksdup @sir_egeretus @nengi.e @ataliasphotos @suafestudio Thank you! And to everybody that came through, thank you too.

To my best friend, my lover, forever sounds perfect with you ❤️ Photography @infokhus Videography @_thecamilleon Studio @spaceniaottawa Decor @liyucelebrations

Waited until the last minute. Now the deadline is here. The project isn’t done… But somehow the confidence is at an all-time high. We call this creative self-hype — when the energy is louder than the execution. Talent doesn’t carry projects. Alignment + follow-through does. If you’re always rushing at the end, it’s not because you’re lazy — it’s because something in your process is broken. So be honest… Are you a last-minute magician or consistent builder 💪🏾 #inFokhus #CreativeDiscipline #EditorLife #BehindTheScenes #ContentCreators #FocusMode #CreativeWorkflow #MediaLife #OttawaCreatives #WeMakeYouLookGOOD

Every creative knows this feeling. You expect notes. You brace yourself for revisions… and they give you flowers instead. This is what fuels us — in every industry. To be seen. To be affirmed. To be encouraged when you didn’t ask for it. Grateful for Ms. Lynn Jones — for her courage, her discernment, and her willingness to pause and uplift Coach Liam Coen when she recognized he needed it. That kind of leadership changes rooms. This is why we do the work. 🖤 We create with the intention that when it’s done the only response left is: wow. If you’re looking for work that speaks for itself — you know where to find us. 🖤 #VisualStorytellers #FilmmakerLife #CreativeDirection #StoryFirst #LiamCoen #LynnJones #Compassion

Daylight vs Midnight Energy By day we’re laughing, brainstorming, playing, getting distracted… But when the night falls? We lock in. Aligned. Focused. In our creative flow. This is how real creatives move — chaos in the light, clarity in the dark. That’s when ideas turn into execution. That’s when vision becomes visuals. Are you a day dreamer or a night builder? 👇 Tell us below #inFokhus #CreativeProcess #BehindTheScenes #VisualStorytelling #ContentCreators #CreativeLife #BrandBuilders #NightCreatives #FilmLife #MediaTeam #OttawaCreatives #WeMakeYouLookGOOD

Are You Fighting God? Sometimes the resistance you feel isn’t the enemy. It’s God — repositioning you, refining you, realigning you. Fighting man is one thing — you might even win. But fighting God? You won’t. Because His correction isn’t cruelty — it’s care. His pruning isn’t punishment — it’s protection. So before you fight the pressure, ask yourself: “Am I resisting growth or rejecting God?” (Acts 9:5 · Job 40:2 · Isaiah 45:9) #FaithReflections #EncourageEquipEdify #AlignmentSeason #WiredForTheWork #PurposeInProcess #Surrender #GodIsWorking #BeStill #IamFokhus