Global Designing Cities Initiative inaugurates playground at Osu Salem Primary School
In an effort to promote a healthier environment for children, the Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI) has inaugurated a new playground at Osu Salem Primary School in Accra.
The playground dubbed, "Remove Air Pollution from Playground," aims to raise awareness of the importance of clean air and provide a safe space for children to play and learn.
The initiative is part of GDCI's efforts to create livable and sustainable cities.
By designing a playground that promotes clean air and environmental awareness, the initiative hopes to inspire a new generation of leaders who will prioritise environmental sustainability.
The playground features a range of interactive and educational elements including games, puzzles, and art installations that teach children about the impact of air pollution on their health and the environment; as well as a barrier to close the two ends of the road leading to their school when it is in session.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, representatives from the GDCI emphasised the importance of creating healthy and sustainable environments for children.
"We believe that every child deserves to grow up in a healthy and sustainable environment.
This playground is just one example of how we can work together to create a better future for all," he said.
He said the GCDI was driven by the passion of making the school environment safer; stating that, the school compound had been used over the years as a car park by some people during school hours with the emission of carbon gases making the air unsafe for the children.
The Chief Operation Officer of the Clean Air Fund, Venetia Bell, also indicated that children needed a good atmosphere powered by clean air to thrive, hence their support of the project.
She stated that with the introduction of the barriers and the playground, vehicular movement in front of the school and their consequent emission of carbon gases would improve air quality which would be safer for the pupils' health.
Impact
For his part, the Korle Klottey Municipal Education Director, Philip Aidoo expressed gratitude to the GDCI and the Clean Air Fund for the project; stating that it would be a booster for enrolment in the school.
He explained that the enrolment of the school had plummeted due to its closeness to the street and the fear of parents hearing of cars knocking their children.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the acting Municipal Coordinator of the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly (KoKMA), Jean Ameley Tagoe, said the previous state of the school prior to the development of the new facilities was not the best.
