Accra to host KIDDAFEST 2006

Accra, Oct. 27, GNA - Ghana is to host hundreds of children across Africa for the 13th Accra International Children's Arts Festival (KIDDAFEST 2006) scheduled for December 15-18.

The participating countries include Nigeria, Togo, Burkina Faso, Niger, South Africa, Angola, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe.

KIDDAFEST 2006 under the theme: "Shaping Tomorrow through the Arts," is dedicated to encourage child artistes to pursue their artistic skills as well as serve as a forum to offer parents, teachers and policy makers the opportunity to appreciate artistic and creative works and to develop vital skills in children.

"Children acquire the ability to express themselves, negotiate differences and make responsible choices that would guarantee their survival in tomorrow's hostile world," Mr T. A. Amarh, Board Member of National Theatre, stated at official launch of the festival in Accra on Friday.

Mr Amarh said KIDDAFEST 2006 would be the best in the history of KIDDAFEST after a year's break due to renovation at the National Theatre and would serve as a prelude to Ghana's 50th independence anniversary next year.

He explained that KIDDAFEST was about enhancing education, both formal and informal, through the arts, enhancing social interactions among children and promoting understanding of the country's diverse cultural practices.

"KIDDAFEST should therefore be the clarion call for the restoration of our distinct cultural identity reflecting true values of chastity, patriotism, discipline, dignity of labour and respect for all ages," he added.

Hajia Alima Mahama Minister of Women and Children's Affairs, launching the festival urged Governments within the sub-region to recognise children as vital to attain the vision of integrating the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

She said the youth were a vital link between the present and the future and must be included in sub-regional policy directives. Hajia Mahama asked management of National Theatre, main organisers of KIDDAFEST, to put in place measures to ensure the safety of every child that would participate in the festival.

"It is our collective responsibility to ensure that our children, who are the future leaders, are properly nurtured and brought up. "This can materialise if parents and other bodies entrusted with the development of children take the necessary precautionary measures to protect the child from any form of abuse."

She said it was important that Ghanaian children dressed decently to set a good example for the guests.

Activities lined up for the three-day event include street carnival, drama performance, musical show, poetry recital, choral music rendition, general quiz, visual arts, fashion show, Master and Miss KIDDAFEST and a mock Parliament.

The National Theatre has drawn up tight security measures to ensure that the children are protected.

The Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service and Ghana Armed Forces would provide security during the programme. A new jingle for KIDDAFEST designed by old and new musicians was out-doored as part of the launch.