When a group of Bermudians recently attended the Third Pan-African Historical Theatre Festival (Panafest) in Ghana, their presence there was acknowledged during a rare gathering of the `Parliament' of the country's chiefs.

"We were not part of the official delegation,'' says Southampton Princess accountant Ivan Broadbelt, who attended with his wife Dawn, "but about 15 of us travelled to Ghana especially for the festival, and they welcomed us as part of the festivities.'' They had learned about Panafest through Amani Flood who had previously visited Ghana and decided to organise a group for the festival. "We were a very diverse group with diverse interests,'' says Mr.

Broadbelt.

Held in conjunction with the Organisation for African Unity (OAU) and the Government of Ghana, the biennial is a cultural event dedicated to he ideals of Pan-Africanism and the development of the African continent. Also celebrating Ghana's historical and cultural heritage through music, dance and drama, this year's Panafest also coincided with the traditional Festival of the Chiefs and People of the Cape Coast.

Driving from the capital of Accra down to the coast provided ample opportunity to see the beauty of the land. "Apart from towns and villages that are on the roadsides, everywhere is very green, 70-foot trees and dense foliage,'' says Mrs. Broadbelt who is a learning support teacher at CedarBridge Academy.

"Ghana is ablaze with colour, its people wearing the brightly woven Kente cloth.'' They were impressed by the business opportunities that are available in a country that is now actively seeking outside investment. "The best thing about the country,'' says Mr. Broadbelt, "is the people. They are very warm and welcoming. I was told the reason why Ghana is not torn by tribal strife is because they had seen for themselves how civil war ruins the economy and has been responsible for the destruction of so many of the countries around them.

We met some refugees from Liberia who were hoping to go home in the next six months or a year, but were still waiting for things to stabilise.'' Panafest Activities, many of which took place at Cape Coast and Elmina Castles, formerly transit points for the shipment of slaves to the New World, included the Grand Durbar of Traditional Chiefs, church services, art exhibitions, youth and women's days, music and dance, beach parties, culminating in a festival dance. The university also hosted a series of presentations and discussions on a wide range of subjects that included education, population and environment issues, agriculture and food policy, science and technology, the new African economy and global integration, as well as politics, democracy and African development.

One of the highlights of the trip for the Broadbelts was the `reclaim your name' ceremony, where visitors were re-named, being given African names. "One of the chiefs addressed me as his grandson,'' says Mr. Broadbelt, explaining that names were selected by observance of the person concerned and also pertaining to the day of the week on which a person was born.

Mr. and Mrs. Broadbelt say they were struck by the sincerity of the Ghanian people. "In 1994, a service of atonement was carried out by the paramount chiefs of Ghana in acknowledgement of the role played by chiefs in the Atlantic slave trade. They felt this would help create a fresh start and that was very significant,'' says Mr. Broadbelt, "because it was the first time they had come together in a ceremony that acknowledged their part in the slave tragedy.'' Since their return, the couple have been investigating the idea of forming a sub-branch of Fihankra, an association for people who are interested in returning to Ghana to live, work, or start a business.

RENDEZVOUS IN GHANA -- Dawn and Ivan Broadbelt, pictured in Ghana where they attended that country's recent Panafest '97.