Professor Esi Sutherland-Addy
Professor Esi Sutherland-Addy, a daughter of the late renowned Ghanaian playwright Efua Sutherland, has bemoaned the deplorable state of the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park named after her mother.
The park, located in the central part of the national capital, Accra is a recreational centre for children but has not seen any major renovation or upgrade for years.
Though government-owned, it has become a pale shadow of its former glory.
Speaking on the issue in an interview with Benjamin Akakpo on Class 91.3FM’s Executive Breakfast Show on Monday, 29 April 2019, Professor Sutherland-Addy disclosed that: “The Efua Sutherland Children’s Park has been an endangered place for many years”.
She noted that the park “is in limbo although there are plans to develop it”.
“So, it is not a happy story but one is hoping that this time the plans that have been made will be implemented,” she stressed.
The academician, writer, educationist and human rights activist added that there have been efforts by the government to go into public-private partnerships to develop the park but discussions have not been conclusive.
The former Deputy Minister for Higher Education, Culture and Tourism said many corporate bodies have made moves to acquire the venue and use it for other business purposes. However, she said her family and other people have thwarted those attempts.
“We have had to, maybe two or three times, jump in and try and shame people into stopping people from wading in there,” she noted.
