A senior specialist psychiatrist at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has raised concerns about the rapid disappearance of green spaces in Ghana’s urban areas, particularly in Accra.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on December 26, Dr Kusi Mensah emphasised the crucial role these spaces play in supporting children’s mental health.

He warned that their absence is contributing to increasing levels of stress, anxiety, and diminished resilience among young people.

Reflecting on his own childhood in Accra, Dr Mensah recalled a time when green spaces and community parks were plentiful, providing children with safe areas to play and enjoy themselves.

“I grew up in Accra, where there were green spaces and community parks where one could play and have fun,” he said.

However, he lamented that these spaces have gradually been replaced by estate developments, leaving little room for recreational activities.

He further pointed out the current situation, stating, “If you want to enjoy green spaces, you then have to travel a long distance to find them.

"One has to go to the Aburi Botanical Gardens or the Afua Sitzerland Park before they can have fun and relax.”

While he acknowledged the value of these tourist sites, Dr Kusi Mensah stressed that it is unfortunate that the green spaces once set aside for recreation and community purposes are no longer easily accessible to the public.

Dr. Mensah concluded by stating, “As a society, we are clearly not intentional about the welfare and well-being of our children.”

He called for urgent action from policymakers, parents, and community leaders to preserve and create more green spaces in urban areas.

These spaces are essential not only for children’s physical health but also for their emotional and mental well-being.

In his final remarks, Dr Mensah urged the government and society as a whole to strike a balance between urbanisation and the preservation of green spaces, ensuring that future generations have access to natural environments that are vital for their growth and development.