Efua Sutherland Children Park is a beloved destination in the heart of Accra, Ghana, where families and friends come together to relax, play, and enjoy the beauty of nature. The park is named after the renowned Ghanaian playwright, author, and children’s advocate, Efua Theodora Sutherland, who dedicated her life to promoting African culture and empowering children through education and the arts. Since its establishment in 1979, the Efua Sutherland Children Park has become a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike, offering a variety of fun activities, including a playground, a mini-zoo, a botanical garden, and a cultural center. In this article, Mrpocu.com will delve into the rich history and significance of the park, explore its many features and attractions, and discuss why it is such an important symbol of Ghanaian heritage and pride.
About Efua Sutherland Children’s Park
Efua Sutherland Children’s Park is a well-known recreational center in Accra, Ghana. It is named after the famous Ghanaian playwright, author, and cultural activist, Efua Theodora Sutherland. The park is a 14.83-acre (0.0600 km2) public park for children located opposite The National Theatre at West Ridge close to the International Trade Fair Center. It is a popular destination for families, school groups, and tourists who visit the park to enjoy the beauty of nature and have fun.
The idea for the establishment of a children’s park was conceived by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) in the early days. The AMA identified a need for a public space where children could play, learn, and interact with one another. The park was designed to provide an environment that is conducive to learning and recreation, with facilities for children to engage in physical activities, creative arts, and cultural experiences.
Accra Children’s Park or Ridge Park was its original name when it opened in 1979, and it was later renamed in honor of Ghanaian playwright and children’s author Efua Sutherland. Since being opened in 1999, the park has undergone little development as of 2019. The park is managed by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and is funded through public-private partnerships.
Efua Sutherland Children’s Park is more than just a recreational center; it is also a symbol of Ghana’s cultural heritage and a testament to the legacy of Efua Sutherland. Sutherland was a prolific writer who devoted her life to promoting African culture and empowering children through education and the arts. Her work, which includes plays, novels, and children’s books, has had a significant impact on the literary and cultural landscape of Ghana and the African continent as a whole.
Today, the park features a variety of attractions that cater to the needs of children and adults alike. These include a playground, a mini-zoo, a botanical garden, a cultural center, and many more. The park also hosts several events throughout the year, including concerts, festivals, and exhibitions.
The history of Efua Sutherland Children’s Park is one that is rooted in the desire to provide a safe and stimulating environment for children to learn, play, and interact with one another. The park is a testament to the legacy of Efua Sutherland and the values that she stood for, and it continues to serve as a symbol of Ghana’s cultural heritage and a source of pride for the nation.
Who Is Efua Sutherland
Efua Theodora Sutherland (1924-1996) was a renowned Ghanaian playwright, author, and cultural activist. She was born in Cape Coast, Ghana, and grew up in a family that valued education and cultural traditions. Sutherland studied at the University of London and the University of Ghana, where she earned a degree in English and a diploma in education.
Sutherland is best known for her plays, which are considered some of the most influential works of African theater. Her plays, which include “The Marriage of Anansewa,” “The Dilemma of a Ghost,” and “The Dead End of African Literature,” explore themes of African identity, culture, and tradition in the context of a rapidly changing world. Sutherland was also a prolific writer of children’s books, including “The Roadmakers” and “The Voice in the Forest,” which are still widely read in Ghana and other African countries.
Throughout her life, Sutherland was a strong advocate for African culture and education. She worked tirelessly to promote the use of African languages and literature in schools, and she founded several cultural organizations, including the Ghana Drama Studio and the Ghana Society of Writers. Sutherland was also a strong advocate for children’s rights, and she believed that education and the arts were essential tools for empowering children and promoting social change.
Sutherland’s contributions to African literature and culture have had a lasting impact on Ghana and the African continent as a whole. She was a trailblazer who paved the way for future generations of African writers and cultural activists, and her legacy continues to inspire and influence people around the world. Today, Efua Sutherland is remembered as a pioneer, a visionary, and a champion of African culture and children’s rights.
Efua Sutherland Children’s Park Map
Efua Sutherland Children’s Park is a 14.83-acre public park for children located opposite The National Theatre at West Ridge in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.
Location
Address: Opposite National Theatre, Ridge, Accra, Ghana
Contact Details
Tel: 054 377 4771