Enact law to protect Children’s Park- Board Chairman of National Theatre advocates

The Board Chairman of the National Theatre of Ghana, Nana Fredua Agyeman Ofori-Atta, has called for legislation to protect the Efua Sutherland Park in Accra from being turned into anything other than its intended purpose of establishment.

To him, the 14.83 acres of land opposite the National Theatre, Accra, popularly known as Children’s Park was established not only to serve as a recreational centre for children and the public but also to honour the memory of playwright and children’s author, Efua Sutherland, particularly for her contributions to the literary world and influence on children.

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 forbears left us to give us direction. She documented some of it in her plays and writings for posterity,” he said.

The park, originally Accra Children’s Park, was later renamed after the famous poet and dramatist Efua Sutherland Children’s Park.