Pass law to protect Efua Sutherland Children’s Park – Board Chairman of National Theatre

The Board Chairman of the National Theatre of Ghana, Nana Fredua Agyeman Ofori-Atta, has called for legislation to salvage the Efua Sutherland Park in Accra from its current deteriorating state.

According to him, the 14.83 acres of land was not only established as a recreational centre but to honour the memory of playwright and children’s author, Efua Sutherland for her immense contribution to the literary world.

Speaking at the launch of this year’s Ghana Theatre Festival held at the foyer of the National Theatre, Accra on Tuesday, September 24, Mr Ofori-Atta said this year’s festival, which marks the centenary celebration of the literary luminary, was also to remind Ghanaians, Africans and the world of the treasure she was and keeping the park in her memory.

“Up until today, some publishing companies continue to immortalise her works and we have had the presence of light to monumentalise her by naming the children’s park after her.

“We must firm that immortalisation with legislation that stops anyone from turning it into anything other than the green space for children in the heart of the capital city.

“Children and the general public must have spaces to play. That is what she lived for, that is what she deserves so let us keep it that way.

“Her plays embodied who we were and who we are. They give us an appreciation of our history, customs and traditions. Since society and culture are dynamic, there must always be guidelines that our forebears left us to give us direction. She documented some of it in her plays and writings for posterity,” he said.

The park was formerly known as Accra Children’s Park before being renamed Efua Sutherland Children’s Park in honor of the well-known dramatist and poet.

Efua Sutherland Park was arguably the most popular family park in the capital city in the early 1980s and late 1990s.

During its heyday, the facility was a popular destination for families bringing their kids for fun, especially on weekends and public holidays.

However, the facility is practically on its knees and in a bad shape.

At the launch of the centenary celebration, Esi Sutherland-Addy, daughter of Efua Sutherland who spoke on behalf of the family, made a passionate appeal to put the children’s park back in shape.

Similar calls have been made by other stakeholders to ensure proper maintenance of the recreational centre.

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