Tema Metropolitan Assembly — local governance authority managing development control, planning, and municipal services in Tema, currently in dispute with TDC over permitting authority.
… Ms Bright said the strained relationship had made it difficult for the Tema Metropolitan Assembly to coordinate development initiatives with the MP, with some projects allegedly being undertaken without adequate consultation and subsequently duplicating work planned by the Assemb …
… Speaking on Monday, October 5, Ms Bright said Mr Forson had consistently declined to engage her or the Tema Metropolitan Assembly since she assumed office, despite several attempts to establish communication with him. …
The Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) has warned residents against the unauthorised felling of trees in the metropolis, saying the trees play a critical role in protecting residents from the environmental effects of the city’s industrial and port activities. …
… al vices.” She added that collective responsibility could help make communities safer. “When we all become each other’s keepers, we will be able to minimize these social vices and create safer communities for everyone.” Also present was the Mayor of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly …
The government has directed TDC Ghana Limited to recognise and comply with the regulatory authority of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) in matters relating to development control, spatial planning and permitting within the Tema Metropolis. …
President John Dramani Mahama has given the ministers responsible for local government and housing 14 days to develop a framework to resolve the continuing institutional dispute between the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) and TDC Ghana Limited. …
President John Dramani Mahama has affirmed the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) as the highest political and administrative authority within the Tema Metropolis, directing TDC Ghana Limited to comply with the Assembly’s regulations and statutory powers. …
The Office of the President has directed the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) and TDC Ghana Limited to end their protracted institutional dispute and establish a clear framework for working together. …
The Tema Development Company Limited (TDC) has clarified its disagreement with the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) over development planning and permitting authority within the Tema metropolis. …
Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive Ebi Bright has alleged that a dispute with Tema Central MP Charles Forson has escalated to physical assault on one of her drivers, and says the strained relationship has hindered coordination of development initiatives between the Assembly and the legislator. Ms Bright attributed the breakdown to her decision not to approve release of the MP's share of the District Assemblies Common Fund.
Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive Ebi Bright has alleged that a dispute with Tema Central MP Charles Forson has escalated to physical assault on one of her drivers, and says the strained relationship has hindered coordination of development initiatives between the Assembly and the legislator. Ms Bright attributed the breakdown to her decision not to approve release of the MP's share of the District Assemblies Common Fund.
Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive Ebi Bright alleged that Tema Central MP Charles Forson physically assaulted her driver during an attempt to engage him on development issues. Bright said Forson had consistently declined to communicate with her or the Assembly since she took office, hampering coordination on projects involving government reserves and open spaces.
The Tema Metropolitan Assembly has warned residents against unauthorised felling of trees, saying they protect the city from environmental effects of industrial and port activities. The assembly recently found at least 10 trees felled without a permit at Meridian Enclave, which the MCE described as criminal and part of a broader challenge of lawlessness and disregard for environmental regulations.
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is conducting community-level education to help residents understand social protection issues, identify abuse, and report unlawful practices. The latest forum was held in Tema Newtown, bringing together traditional leaders, clergy, schoolchildren, persons with disabilities, and residents.
The government has directed TDC Ghana Limited to recognise and comply with the Tema Metropolitan Assembly's regulatory authority over development control, spatial planning and permitting within the metropolis. The directive clarifies that TMA is the highest political and administrative authority and relevant local planning authority, while TDC operates as a commercially oriented real estate developer without municipal or regulatory authority.
President Mahama has given the ministers for local government and housing 14 days to develop a framework resolving an institutional dispute between the Tema Metropolitan Assembly and TDC Ghana Limited over development control and building permits. The framework must define roles, working relationships, and address development permitting, infrastructure coordination, revenue, and dispute resolution.
President John Dramani Mahama has affirmed the Tema Metropolitan Assembly as the highest political and administrative authority within the Tema Metropolis and directed TDC Ghana Limited to comply with the Assembly's regulations and statutory powers over development control, spatial planning, and permitting.
The Office of the President has directed the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) and TDC Ghana Limited to end their dispute, affirming the TMA as the highest political and administrative authority in the Tema Metropolis with responsibility for overall development, human settlements, municipal services, revenue mobilisation and local planning. The intervention follows a dispute over construction at Community One, Sites 3 and 8, where the TMA issued a stop-work order and demolished structures for lack of necessary permits.
Mahama Ayariga, nominated as Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, faced vetting before Parliament's Appointments Committee. Senior figures including former Finance Minister Duffuor, NDC Chairman Ofosu Ampofo, Archbishop Duncan-Williams and APC flagbearer Hassan Ayariga attended Parliament to show support.
The Tema Development Company Limited and the Tema Metropolitan Assembly are in disagreement over development permitting authority in Tema. TDC maintains it has independent statutory mandate to plan and develop Tema, while TMA asserts that all physical development requires TMA approval under planning and constitutional law; the dispute was triggered when TMA demolished portions of a TDC project at Tema Community One in August 2026 following resident complaints about tree felling and other unauthorized activities.
TDC Ghana Ltd has defended its legal mandate to undertake development projects in Tema, stating its authority to plan, lay out and develop the city predates the Tema Metropolitan Assembly and is rooted in statutory provisions dating back to its establishment in 1952. The clarification arises amid a dispute between TDC and TMA over an infilling housing project at Community One, Site Three.
President Mahama summoned officials of the Tema Development Company and Tema Metropolitan Assembly to resolve a dispute over an infilling and development project at Community One Site Three. The Assembly ordered TDC to suspend works, citing lack of permit and resident complaints about tree felling, structure demolition, and encroachment on playgrounds and green belts.
The Tema Metropolitan Assembly has clarified that all physical developments in Tema must comply with its planning and permitting processes, asserting its exclusive mandate as the planning authority under Ghana's local governance laws. The MCE said this position applies even to property owners like TDC Company Limited, which must obtain TMA permits before undertaking physical development.
The Tema Metropolitan Assembly has halted a government housing project by TDC Ghana Limited at Site 3, alleging unauthorised development on public land and demanding statutory permits within seven days. TDC Ghana Limited has disputed the Assembly's position in a response dated August 11.
The Tema Metropolitan Assembly has halted construction at Community 1, Sites 3 and 8, and moved to demolish structures, saying the development lacked requisite permits and that the land was reserved for a community playground and public facilities. The Assembly says it has no record of any permitting process for the development and that the contractors ignored previous directives to suspend work.
The Tema Youth Association has endorsed the Tema Metropolitan Assembly's demolition of unauthorised structures in designated security zones at Tema Manhean beach, calling it a step toward restoring order, sanitation, and public safety. The association hopes the redevelopment will attract investment and create employment opportunities beyond fishing-related activities.
The Food and Drugs Authority, together with the Tema Metropolitan Assembly, Ghana Police and Ghana Armed Forces, conducted a joint enforcement operation at Tema Newtown fishing enclave on July 28, confiscating contaminated fish and educating fish handlers on proper hygiene and safe handling practices. The Tema Metropolitan Assembly also began demolition and cleanup work to improve sanitation in the area.
The Industrial and Commercial Workers' Union (ICU)-Ghana has strongly opposed the proposed sale of a majority stake in VALCO, describing it as a threat to Ghana's strategic national interests and job security. The union staged a peaceful protest in Tema and submitted a petition to the President through the Tema Metropolitan Assembly, arguing that VALCO has made significant operational gains that make the proposed transaction unjustifiable.
Monday's torrential rains severely affected 25 communities across 18 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, leaving thousands displaced and causing deaths and missing persons. Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak told Parliament that damage included widespread displacement, property destruction, and livelihood disruption across several urban areas.
The Tema Metropolitan Assembly's environmental health unit has warned residents against walking through or standing in floodwaters, citing contamination from raw sewage, chemical runoff, factory waste and animal droppings, and hidden physical dangers such as open drains and fallen electrical cables. Exposure to floodwaters increases risk of waterborne diseases including cholera, typhoid fever and dysentery, and stagnant water afterward creates breeding grounds for malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
An unidentified man collapsed and died at the Tema Metropolitan Assembly forecourt on Friday morning; eyewitnesses reported a substance coming from his mouth before he lost consciousness. The body has been sent to the morgue, and authorities are investigating the incident.
The Tema Metropolitan Assembly held its first ordinary session, addressing revenue mobilisation, sanitation, infrastructure and service delivery. The MCE noted that internally generated fund collection had reached 13 per cent of target as of March 2025 and the District Performance Assessment Tool score stood at 35 per cent, below the national average.