Correspondence from Bono Region
Some concerned residents of Sunyani, the capital of the Bono Region, are calling on authorities to take immediate steps to rehabilitate the Sunyani Children’s Park, a once-thriving recreational space that has been abandoned and left in ruin for over two decades.
The calls by the residents have intensified in recent times because the once-vibrant and lively children’s park, a cherished recreational space designed to offer fun for children and families, has deteriorated over the years and now lies in a state of silent decay, overtaken by time and indifference.
Tucked in the heart of Sunyani, directly opposite the Bank of Ghana, the Sunyani Children’s Park, which once echoed with children’s laughter and families’ vibrant energy, is today a ghostly shell of its former self.
Sadly, what was once a haven for young minds within Sunyani and its environs has now become a hotspot for drug peddling, a refuge for criminals and mentally ill individuals, raising a serious public safety concern among the residents.
The park’s library building, which in its prime buzzed with activity, offered a quiet refuge where children gathered to explore books, expand their knowledge, and nurture a love for reading with a sense of purpose and curiosity, has been reduced to a crumbling and broken structure with the atmosphere now a distant memory.
Residents believe that with the right attention and investment, the park, which was acquired in 1968 by the Agricultural Society and was a hive of activity in the 1990s could be transformed into a vibrant public space that could foster community engagement, promote physical and mental well-being, and enhance the overall quality of life in the area.
Among the many loud and vociferous voices leading the charge is Lawrence Yeboah Gyan, a Sunyani-based broadcast journalist, who has reignited calls that have previously been ignored by city authorities for the place to be revamped by restoring and upgrading the park to provide a safe and stimulating environment for children.
According to him, reviving the Sunyani Children’s Park is not just about fixing a neglected facility, it is about restoring hope and providing a safe, engaging environment where the youth can thrive, as well as a valuable green space for recreational and social activities.
“This is not just about a park. It is about what the park represents: a test of our commitment to the well-being of children, the health of our cities, and the legacy we leave for future generations so by transforming this decaying ground into a model urban green space, we would not only be restoring dignity to an abandoned promise but also setting a precedent for visionary leadership; one that reclaims forgotten assets and reinvests in community wellbeing,” he stressed.
On his part, Oppong Gyasi, a retired educationist and long-time resident of Sunyani, with a nostalgic tone, shared fond memories of how the Sunyani Children’s Park once stood as a cherished hub for students and families during the 1990s by evincing that the park was more than just a recreational space, but a lively and inclusive environment where education, leisure, and community spirit came together in perfect harmony.
“It was a place where learning and leisure came together. You could see children from different schools mingling, reading books, and engaging in recreational activities. Parents felt safe bringing their children here because it was clean, secure, and full of life.”
However, describing the park as a painful sight to behold, Gyasi expressed deep sorrow over the current state of the park and has called on authorities to act swiftly to restore the park, stressing that future generations deserve access to the same opportunities and spaces for growth that the park once offered.
“I am appealing to the authorities to do something about the park because it is truly heartbreaking to see a place that held so much promise for our children’s development and happiness fall into such disrepair.”
New development agenda with renewed commitment
Despite years of unsuccessful attempts to rehabilitate the park by his predecessors, the current Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive, Vincent Antwi Agyei, assures that the assembly under his leadership is committed to a new vision that envisions transforming the abandoned park into a modern children’s development centre.
“I know it has been a concern for several years now. The place has been earmarked for such a thing, but for whatever reason, none of my predecessors was able to put the place into good use. I have that thing in mind, and that is one thing I have personally told myself that before my tenure ends as MCE, we should develop the place like Rattray Park in Kumasi.”
His vision, as he alludes, includes exploring a range of strategic options and collaborative efforts to ensure the successful revamping of the park. This will involve engaging relevant stakeholders, including private investors, development partners, and community leaders, to pool resources and expertise toward the park’s redevelopment.
