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.
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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.
In the early 80s and late 90s, the Efua Sutherland Park was probably the favourite family park in the capital city.
In its glorious days, the facility was a centre of attraction for many families who sent their children there, especially on public holidays and weekends to have fun.
The opposite is, however, the current state and there seems to be no end in sight in the deterioration of the state-owned Efua Sutherland Children’s Park which is virtually on its knees.
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.
She pointed out that her mother positively impacted the lives of many children through her works and the preservation of the children’s park will honour her memory.
Esi Sutherland-Addy elaborated on the tremendous role her mother played in promoting arts and culture in Ghana, including establishing the Ghana Drama Studios at the University of Ghana, Legon.
“She believed in Ghana, Africa, and the African people and was diligent and delighted in delving into and projecting the power of their culture.
“She demonstrated that we could use our languages and confidently place ourselves on the world stage. She believed in the power of the arts and theatre in particular to affect society in a transformative way,” she said.
Four plays written by Efua T. Sutherland–Agoro, Foriwaa, Marriage of Anansewa and Edufa will be staged at this year’s festival. (Related article: Theatre Festival in honour of Efua Sutherland kicks off at National Theatre today)