The 2002 edition of the Accra International Children?s Arts Festival, KIDDAFEST, has been launched in Accra.

In his remarks, the Artistic Director of the National Dance Company, Mr F. Nii Yartey, called on government to commit more resources to the arts for its development and sustenance.

He said there is the need for government to support Kiddafest as an institution, pointing out that it is through the arts that achievements in science and technology can be realised.

The festival, which was started in 1994 as a platform for children to express their artistic talents has, over the years, attracted participants from the 10 regions of the country, the United States of America, and some African and European countries.

This year?s festival, which is on the theme ?Our World Without Barriers?, will take place between December 19 and 22 at the National Theatre, Accra.A member of the National Commission on Culture, Ms Marigold Akufo-Addo, who launched the festival, said it is a worthy idea to bring children from different cultures together to share experiences, while discovering and recognising their talents, knowledge and skills.

The Executive Director of the National Theatre, Madam Korkor Amarteifio, said the festival has been the only sustainable artistic and cultural event on the African continent that seeks to address the holistic development of children, irrespective of their socio-cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

She said new additions to this year?s festival include an ECOWAS Fashion Show, ECOWAS Mock Parliament, Hiplife Theatre, Yosakoi Dance, two drama pieces from Nigeria, among others. She thanked the sponsors of the programme for their support.

The Chief of Oyoko and Adontenhene of New Juaben, Nana Kodua Kesse, who chaired the function, called for a clear-cut policy for the arts and the establishment of a special endowment fund for its development.

The launching was interspersed with splendid performances by the Dance Factory and Harrisco Babies. This year?s festival was nearly cancelled because of financial difficulties, but by the kind courtesy of the undermentioned sponsors, Kiddafest 2002 has been saved.

The institutions are Wonder Foods (Cowbell), UNICEF, Public Affairs section of the Embassy of USA, Ambassade de France au Ghana and Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.

Others are Annarpurna Salt, Coca Cola Bottling Ghana Limited, Akosombo Textiles Limited, Printex, Joy FM, Great Lamptey Mills School, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and Ghana Education Service.

The rest are Metro TV, The Mirror, Graphic Showbiz, Spectator and Ghanaian Times.As the theme suggests, the message the children have for ECOWAS leaders is that they are prepared for the integration but this can be achieved only if immigration, customs, police and all those who are at the various entry points (borders) are aware of this.

It is very clear the world belongs to the children and no borders should divide them. They should move freely from one country to the other for business, trade, interaction and festivals.

Kiddafest 2002 marks ten years of the existence of the National Theatre of Ghana. The anniversary celebrations have been planned to span a period of one year.