Sterling cultural performances from three continents took centre stage as the Seventh Accra International Children's Festival KIDDAFEST 2000) kicked off in Accra on Friday.

Kids from Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Germany and the United States exhibited the finesse of adults in dance, drumming and speech, to thrill a large audience of diplomats, government officials and children. Besides vibrant dances by contingents from the US, Germany and Nigeria, Ghanaian youth, from basic and senior secondary schools, engaged in mock durbar of chiefs and parliamentary debate on child welfare.

KIDDAFEST 2000, on the theme, "My world 2000 and beyond", being jointly organised by the National Commission on Culture (NCC), National Theatre of Ghana and the Ghana Education Service (GES) will run from December 15 to 19.

It will showcase drama, debates, circus shows, musical performances, acrobatics, food and handicraft exhibitions and photography. Mrs Victoria Addy, Member of the Council of State, who represented President Jerry Rawlings, said children need stimulation and enrichment of their perceptions, which come from appreciating the cultures of others.

"Only then can our children appreciate their own culture within a global context and also see the common grounds which links all young people throughout the world," she added. Mrs Addy noted that while it is beneficial to expose children to foreign cultures, "many young people, without guidance, a sense of discrimination and strong values are unable to select from the indiscriminate mass of information that is good and admirable."

Nana Brefo Boateng, NCC Chief Director, said the festival is important for the survival of the National Theatre, which is building a "faithful" theatre-loving population by pursuing a catch-them-young policy. "What is happening here is that we are not only developing children audiences but a lot of emphasis is placed on children performers as well."

Prof. Komla Amoaku, Executive Director of the National Theatre, said exposing the children to the arts enables them to grow up "holistically" by adding to the academic lessons they learn through formal education. Joseph Dekyi, of the Brong Ahafo Region received the top award for placing first in a toy competition