Ghana continues to struggle to improve on its maintenance culture in terms of taking care of state properties across the country.
Over the years it has become evident that Ghanaians are generally very poor at managing state properties as those charged with such responsibility often look on for the state property to destroy or lose its value.
Later, huge amount of the taxpayer’s hard-earned monies will be used to renovate such state facilities.
Research suggests that well-maintained parks contribute greatly to the value of the country’s tourism.
Many years ago, a brilliant idea was mooted to build children’s parks in all the regional capitals and other major cities to serve as both amusement parks and centres of learning.
Kasapafmonline.com‘s investigations have revealed that the poor handling of the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park is gradually becoming a threat to the country’s development.
The team noticed that facilities there are in a deplorable state. The rusting metals, bushy grass, and trees are all death traps laying in wait for a disaster to occur.
The park has since its establishment in 1979 seen no major rehabilitation and is currently in a poor state
It was also observed that beggars, homeless and disabled persons usually sleep in and around the park.
The situation at the park has created a congenial atmosphere for criminals in the area, and as expected, the park has now become their safe haven where all sorts of criminal activities, particularly smoking of illegal drugs goes on.
The team also observed that on Thursdays and Fridays, cars are parked at the Children’s Park when there is a funeral and other events happening at the Ridge Church opposite the park.
Children’s Parks in Ghana were to operate under the supervision of the Ghana National Commission on Children (GNCC) which was set up under Act 1979 (AFRCD 66), with the general mandate of seeing to the general welfare and development of children and to co-ordinate all essential services for children in the country, which will promote the rights of children as prescribed by the United Nations.
The team contacted the Department of Children under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to answer questions on how the facility is maintained. The department has declined to comment on the issue.
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in collaboration with Integrated Broad-base System launched the second phase of the Golden Jubilee Commemorative Landmark Project at the Efua Sutherland Park on Monday, July 2nd 2007.
This was to raise funds to facilitate a facelift of the Efua Sutherland Park and other children’s parks nationwide.
The Project solicited for funds from corporate entities, NGO’s and the general public. The donors were to be accorded a unique recognition of their contributions by engraving the names of the children, parents, organizations or individuals on slabs of granite, marble or fine brick depending on the level of donations.
It is anticipated that funds raised by this project was used to develop the Efua Sutherland Park into a safe, beautiful area of relaxation and fun for children and their parents or guardians who accompany them there.
The Efua Sutherland Park was established in the 1970s. It was named after Efua Sutherland, a Ghanaian playwright, children’s author, and dramatist.
The Efua Sutherland Park is the major children’s park in Accra, the capital city of Ghana.
Efua Sutherland Park, popularly known as “Children’s Park” is a recreational centre at West Ridge opposite the Ridge Church in Accra.
Maintenance of Children’s parks across the country should be of great concern to all institutions tasked to manage such facilities.
See Photos Below.
