A large section of the Caribbean community and African Americans attending PANAFEST '99' shared tears as they were taken through the slave dungeons of the Cape Coast Castle in last night's vigil marking the Emancipation Day.

The hostile environment of the dungeons coupled with the narration by the guide of the harrowing treatment meted out to their ancestors was more than they could bear. This year's Emancipation Day coincided with the fourth edition of the Pan-African Historical Theatre Festival (PANAFEST). The festival is on the theme "Uniting the African Family youth: the agenda for the new millennium".

More than 5,000 Africans in the Diaspora and from the mother continent are attending the festival. The re-enactment of the slave trade was performed by the African Dance Troupe at the Cape Coast Council for National Culture of what the slaves went through before their shipment to America. The performance infused an atmosphere of gloom, which drew tears from the eyes of the visitors.

In a speech to declare Emancipation Day open, Lt.-Col Charles Agbenaza (rtd), Central Regional Minister, said the lighting of the Emancipation Flame would provide a symbol for African fighters today and tomorrow. "We shall draw inspiration from this perpetual flame for the struggle of Africa's emancipation. Lt.-Col. Agbeneza said the flame would reflect the burning desire of Africans to be totally free, not bound by any shackles and that it would signify "our ability to manage and direct our own affairs".

Chief Ojo Maduekwe, Federal Minister of Culture and Tourism of Nigeria, reminded oppressive governments in Africa that " the dawn of the next millennium should signal an end to their evil deeds". He called on European and American businessmen to invest in Africa as a means of paying back what they stole from the continent hundreds of years ago.

Mr. Kojo Yankah, Chairman of the International PANAFEST Foundation, said Emancipation Day is a period to celebrate the heroes and heroines of Africa and the Diaspora whose resistance to the slave trade led to its abolition.

Among the performers were South African's Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Kiki Gyan of Osibisa fame. The participants earlier on had gone on a candle light procession from the famous London Bridge in Cape Coast through the Castle Road and converged at the Castle courtyard for the ceremony.