Playtime in Africa Initiative

About the project

At Mmofra, we have used informal, outdoor space for our programs for many years. We are advocates for open space in the built environment for children, as well as child-centered design of outdoor and indoor spaces – and we believe the need for them is even more pressing as Ghana, and the African continent as a whole, continues to urbanize.

Now, with the help of an international network of architects, planners, engineers, educators and artists, we are turning a two-acre plot in Accra’s Dzorwulu neighborhood into a sustainably designed, child-focused park concept.

How it began

Our inspiration comes from Playtime in Africa, a pioneering photo essay by Efua T. Sutherland and Willis Bell. Published in the early 60s, the book captured the imaginative games of children all over Ghana.

Fifty years later it remains remarkably current, showcasing a timeless sense of joy and playfulness that has too few purpose-built outlets in Ghana.

Determined to demonstrate that playspaces and creative play are both vital and achievable, we began building contacts with professionals and like-minded people all over the world, from the northwest United States to South Sudan.

You can dig deeper into the project’s background on our Pinterest and Delicious pages. They showcase articles, videos and images that underpin our ideas and inspire our work.

Visual inspiration (Pinterest)

Background reading (Delicious)

The charrette

In May 2012, the ideas our network had generated began to take physical form. We fed them into three days of intensive design work at the Accra site, led by Ghana-based and visiting experts, and with input from local teenagers and community leaders.

The result was not only the site plan you see above, but a range of strategies for sustainability, resource management and context-sensitive construction.

“Foundation design needs to take into account the high water table level and soil salinity.”

“Generous overhangs provide shaded porch space and help keep the building cool during the day … A roof sloping to one side will provide simplified rainwater collection opportunities.”

Stacey McMahan, architect

Interested in seeing more material from the charrette? Check out some of the links below…

Participants’ photos (Facebook)

Maps and surveys (Google Docs)

Sustainability strategies (Google Docs)

The response

We hosted two unique public conversations on urban open space and play as opening and closing book ends to the charrette. Accra residents from all walks of life contributed valuable insights with remarkable enthusiasm.

The site

In the heart of Accra’s Dzorwulu neighborhood, Mmofra Foundation has long maintained two acres of undeveloped land as a green urban oasis. Currently hosting a flourishing market garden, this site will become the home of the Playtime in Africa park concept, blending the existing greenery with sustainably designed indoor and outdoor spaces.

Take a closer look at the location on Google Maps.

Why is Playtime in Africa necessary?

• Ghana’s population is young – 40% under age 15, median age of 21
• The country is rapidly urbanizing, and there are no public spaces for children outside of school grounds
• There is no culture of public green space utilization in Accra, an urban area of about 2 million people
• As a result, children create their own play spaces, often in unsafe or unsuitable environments
• A rote-learning model dominates in education, leaving few opportunities for imagination and creativity

What next?

Accra-based architect Ralph Sutherland will produce a masterplan for the development, while Mmofra Foundation, the US-based Friends of Mmofra and other collaborators continue to network and develop ideas.

When the masterplan is completed, we will be looking for partners and supporters to help us begin work on the site.

Get involved

A core aspect of the Playtime in Africa initiative is the formation of an international network of like-minded partners, supporters and volunteers.

We are especially interested in partnerships in the areas of landscape architecture, natural playground design and management, and environmental engineering.

• Ideas and skills
  Architecture, planning, engineering, horticulture, construction, media and marketing
• Equipment and labor
  Tools, workwear, plants and materials – and people to work with them!
• Purchases and donations
  Sales from the Willis Bell Archive and donations will all go towards funding the project
• Support and feedback
  Help inspire us and promote our work through Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Delicious

If you think you can help us, email Amowi Phillips at info@mmofraghana.org.

Press coverage

• Imagining a Better Future – Playtime in Africa
  Major preview of the project from Playgroundology, including images from Efua Sutherland’s original book
• Designing Cities with Children in Mind
  Playtime in Africa team leaders Amowi Phillips and Rachel Phillips write about the philosophy of the project for ThisBigCity
• Playgroundology: An emerging social science
  The Huffington Post profiles Alex Smith’s playground blog, mentioning Playtime in Africa