Accra, Dec. 16, GNA - Sterling cultural performances spanning three continents took centre stage as the Accra International Children's Festival (KIDDAFEST 2004) kicked off on Thursday.

Kids from Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Liberia and the other parts of the world exhibited the finesse of adults in dance, drumming and speech to thrill a large audience of Diplomats, Government Officials and children, who congregated at the Efua Sutherland Children's Park, venue for the four-day festival.

Besides vibrant dances by contingents from Togo, Liberia and Nigeria, Ghanaian youth, from basic and senior secondary schools, were engaged in mock durbar of chiefs and parliamentary debate on child welfare.

KIDDAFEST 2004 on the theme: "The Youth, Our Future", is being jointly organised by the National Commission on Culture (NCC), National Theatre of Ghana and the Ghana Education Service (GES). It would run from December 16 to December 20.

It would highlight drama, debates, circus shows, musical performances, acrobatics, food and handicraft exhibitions and photography.

Mr Joe Donkor, Deputy Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, said children needed 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 link all young people throughout the world," he said.

Mr Donkor, who deputised for the Sector Minister, noted that while it was beneficial to expose children to foreign cultures, "many young people, without guidance, a sense of discrimination and strong values are unable to select that which is good and admirable from the mass of information".

Mr Donkor said the theme transmitted a clear message, which the youth must embrace with confidence and self-dignity.

Mr Micheal H. Attipoe, Chairman of the National Theatre Interim Management Committee, said the survival of mankind depended on the training given to future leaders, especially on the need for unity. "We need to recognize and respect the views of one another and strive hard to understand and appreciate the viewpoint of others even if we disagree with them."

He said the festival was important for the survival of the National Theatre, which was 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."