The fourth edition of the Pan African Historical Theatre Festival (PANAFEST'99) opened at Cape Coast on Saturday with the vibrating sounds of fontonfrom drums.

The fontonfrom drums and other musical instruments of various artistic groups from far and near echoed at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium, the venue for the opening ceremony.

This was after a Member of the Council of State had officially declared open the 10-day festival on the theme "The re-emergence of African civilisation" with the sub-theme "Uniting the African family: youth - the agenda for the new millennium".

Balloons in the colours of the festival, black, white and yellow, soared into the sky simultaneously as the drums throbbed.

Nana Aboagye Agyei II, the Ejisuhene and Member of the Council of State, asked Africans to realise that as they prepare to enter the new millennium, they should remember that "the situation of the African and peoples of African descent is not going to be easy."

In a globalised world, in a world of greater interdependence, the struggle will not be for independence; it is going to be a struggle for survival. "We shall be faced with a challenge of positioning ourselves in the global village and we are not going to accept to be on the periphery of that village," he declared.

Nana Aboagye Agyei said "We envisaged an African renaissance which would give us a place at the centre of that village not just for our own advantage but for the benefit of all mankind.

"That demands vigilance, determination, confidence in ourselves and a resolute will to work hard, take initiatives and join forces".

Nana Agyei asked the participating nations including Jamaica, Nigeria, USA, Cote D'Ivoire, South Africa and Cameroun, not to merely say they love the festival but should use every opportunity they have either in their performances and discussions to discuss and shape the destiny of Africa.

"Our governments and legislators will do their bit but it is for you, the creative strength of our civilisation, to move a step forward to cement the bonds among us and look ahead with pride and confidence".

Nana Agyei said: "Ghana considers PANAFEST to be a spiritual movement that is linking Africans on the continent with all peoples of African descent all over the world."

He said the spiritual link is emphasised by the artistic and cultural manifestations that characterise the events. "...through the creative energies of our musicians, actors, film makers, dancers, historians, writers and visual artists, we are joined together to build a united front to reshape our future destiny,"he added

The South African singer, Ivan Chakachaka sang her popular song "African beer" and those who are not familiar with the song joined in humming.

Mrs Philis Mitchel, Jamaican Minister of Education and Culture, livened the stadium with Bob Malley's "One Love".

She drew links between the ideals of Jamaica's Marcus Garvey and Ghana's Kwame Nkrumah to underline the importance Jamaica attaches to Africa's cause and especially PANAFEST.

Cultural troupes from Ghana, South African, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire and Jamaica interspersed the colourful programme with traditional drumming and dancing.

Welcoming the participants, Lt-Col. Charles K. Agbenaza, Central Regional Minister, said apart from showing traditions and the arts, the festival would deepen the history and heritage and affirm the common identity of Africans and response to the pressing needs of survival and development of the African continent.

Mr Kojo Yankah, Chairman of the International Board of PANAFEST Foundation, said Pnafest is dedicated to the youth and called on all peoples of Africa to use the youth in the planning of their future.

Mr Yankah expressed gratitude to the government of Jamaica, the Commonwealth Foundation, the United States Information Service, the Arts Council of Britain, the Government of South Africa and all governments of the West African sub-region for supporting the festival.

Odeefo Boa Amponsem III, Dekyirahene and president of the National House of Chiefs, pledged the commitment of chiefs to PANAFEST's objectives, adding they would do everything possible to sustain the biennial event which links Africans in the Diaspora to the mother continent.

Nana Kwesi Atta II, Omanhene of the Oguaa traditional area, who presided, called on peoples of African descent to unite to surmount the obstacles being placed in their way.

He said although African countries produce raw materials they do not control their prices and hoped the festival would continue to bring Africans together in order to achieve their aims and objectives.

Cape Coast, 1st Aug 1999

The leader of the South African delegation to PANAFEST '99, Dr Mongane Wanny Serote has urged African intellectuals to research into similarities in African languages to address the question of ethnic conflicts.

Speaking in Cape Coast on Saturday, he said there are similar trends in indigenous languages through out the continent, which show common points of reference among Africans and render colonial borders superficial.

He said the research by African intellectuals would enable the continent to fit well into the global village.

Dr Serote described the Organisation of African Unity's position on the language issue as pragmatic but said it should be pursued gradually so as not to undermine the sovereignty of states.

He urged the OAU to help create a common platform for African intellectuals on the issue and said the three-day PANAFEST colloquium could be used to share ideas and experiences.

Dr Serote who is a Member of Parliament and convenor of the African Renaissance Conference scheduled for South Africa from October one to three said several committees have been established to study issues related to Africa's development to be discussed.