The Presidency has cautioned the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) against applying its regulatory powers arbitrarily in the conduct of its operations, urging the assembly to exercise its authority fairly.
In a letter dated August 28, 2026, the Office of the President affirmed the TMA as the highest political and administrative authority within the Tema Metropolis.
“Government affirms that the TMA is the highest political and administrative authority within the Tema Metropolis. It is also the relevant local planning authority…with responsibility for regulating physical development and considering applications for development and building permits,” the Presidency said.
TDC Ghana Limited, however, was described as a commercially oriented real estate developer and not a municipal authority.
The government position follows the power struggle between the TMA and the TDC Limited. The dispute between the two state institutions was reportedly over construction activities at Community One, Sites 3 and 8.
The TMA had issued a stop-work order at the project site and subsequently demolished portions of structures, arguing that the development had commenced without the necessary permits.
TDC subsequently petitioned the Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, and the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, to intervene.
Against this background, the Presidency has directed the TMA and TDC to establish a clear operational framework to prevent further conflict and ensure that the two institutions perform their respective functions without undermining each other.
According to the Presidency, the TMA must exercise its mandate in a manner that respects TDC Ghana Limited’s separate statutory responsibilities.
It also directed the TDC to recognize and comply with the constitutional and statutory authority of the TMA in all matters relating to “development control, spatial planning, permitting, municipal services, rates, fees, and other lawful regulatory requirements within the Tema Metropolis.”
The Presidency warned that any further institutional conflict, public confrontation, or refusal to comply with the directive would be viewed seriously.
