President John Dramani Mahama has given the Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Ahmed Ibrahim, and the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, 14 days to resolve the ongoing impasse between the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) and TDC Ghana Limited.
The President directed the two ministers to develop an administrative and operational framework that clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of TMA and TDC. They are also expected to submit the framework, along with a report on all outstanding issues, to the President within the stipulated 14-day period.
The directive is part of efforts to secure an immediate and lasting resolution to the longstanding dispute between the two institutions.
As part of the measures, President Mahama reaffirmed the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) as the highest political and administrative authority within the Tema Metropolis.
He directed TDC Ghana Limited to recognise and comply with TMA’s constitutional and statutory mandate in matters relating to development control, spatial planning, permitting, municipal services, the collection of rates and fees, and other lawful regulatory responsibilities within the metropolis.
At the same time, the President cautioned TMA to exercise its authority fairly, transparently and strictly in accordance with the law. He stressed that the Assembly’s regulatory powers must not be exercised arbitrarily or in a manner that unnecessarily hinders legitimate development, investment or TDC’s commercial operations.
President John Dramani Mahama has also directed the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) and TDC Ghana Limited to suspend any actions, public statements or media engagements that could further escalate the impasse.
The framework to be developed by the two ministers is expected to outline clear mechanisms for development permitting, infrastructure coordination, revenue obligations, information sharing, dispute resolution and regular engagement between TMA and TDC.
The President further warned that any continued institutional conflict, public confrontation or failure to comply with the directive would be treated as a serious breach and dealt with accordingly.