The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection says the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park is still government property and not for sale.
According to the Ministry, 'they have taken notice of concerns by the public of the status of the children's park and has so far received some proposals from individuals and other corporate organizations for the development of the park. The Ministry is still looking at options that are best for the development of the Children's park."
Meanwhile, earlier this month there was an online petition to save the once-iconic and vibrant Efua Sutherland Children’s Park from decay has started in earnest.
The petition on Change.org is being championed by Mmofra Foundation, founded by the celebrated Ghanaian writer and playwright, Efua Sutherland after who the park is named.
The Foundation is dedicated to enriching the cultural and intellectual lives of all children in Ghana.
The online petition highlights the neglect and dilapidation of the once active park in the heart of Accra.
“The continuous neglect of the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park has left the facilities at the park virtually non-existent as they have broken down and have not received any meaningful renovation lately,” the Foundation championing the petition lamented.
The Foundation also states that there are no known protocols to access or book the park for events, despite the social benefits of the park to Ghanaian children.
The Foundation is demanding the setting up of a governing board to manage the park; funds raised and accounted for to secure the park; clear bookings and protocols to access the park, and easy accessibility of the park by all children in Ghana.
The campaigners note also that parks – which include natural or planted open spaces – set aside for public recreation, enjoyment, social interaction and information are being overrun by buildings in Ghana’s capital city, Accra.
“As parks are generally considered a vital part of the urban environment, an investigation of the history, status and public value of Accra’s parks can be a useful evidence-based tool to inform policy and generate serious engagement between the public, government, developers and civic organizations,” the Foundation argues.