President John Dramani Mahama has affirmed the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) as the highest political and administrative authority within the Tema Metropolis and directed TDC Ghana Limited to comply with the Assembly’s statutory regulations and development-control powers.
The directive, contained in a letter from the Office of the President dated August 28, 2026, follows a prolonged dispute between the two state institutions over development permits and planning authority in Tema.
The Presidency said the TMA has overall responsibility for the development of the metropolis, including spatial planning, human settlements, municipal services and revenue mobilisation. It also reaffirmed the Assembly’s legal mandate to regulate physical development and issue building and development permits within its jurisdiction.
TDC, on the other hand, was described as a commercially oriented property developer rather than a municipal or planning authority. The company has therefore been directed to comply with the TMA’s regulations on development control, planning, permits, municipal services, rates and fees.
The President, however, cautioned the Assembly to exercise its regulatory powers fairly, transparently and within the law. He said enforcement must not unnecessarily obstruct legitimate investment or TDC’s commercial operations.
The directive also stressed that neither institution should assume responsibilities legally assigned to the other. The TMA is expected to focus on municipal governance and regulation, while TDC concentrates on property development and related commercial activities.
Dispute over Community One project
The presidential intervention follows a dispute over TDC’s construction activities at Community One, Sites 3 and 8.
The TMA issued a stop-work order and later demolished parts of structures at the site, arguing that the development had begun without the required permits.
The Assembly maintained that TDC’s ownership and management of land did not exempt it from complying with planning and development regulations.
TDC disputed that position, arguing that its statutory mandate to plan, lay out and develop Tema must be recognised alongside the Assembly’s municipal authority.
The company said its mandate dates back to 1952, when the Tema Development Corporation was established to oversee the development of the new Tema township and port. It also cited the Tema Acquisition Area, comprising about 63 square miles of land acquired from the traditional authorities of Tema, Nungua and Kpone and placed under its management through a 125-year lease.
While acknowledging the TMA’s authority over physical planning, development control and municipal administration, TDC argued that those powers should not be exercised in a manner that disregards its own statutory and proprietary interests.
The company subsequently petitioned the Ministers for Works, Housing and Water Resources and Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to intervene.
Ministers given 14 days to resolve dispute
President Mahama has now directed the two ministers to establish a clear administrative and operational framework governing the relationship between the TMA and TDC.
The framework is expected to address development permitting, infrastructure coordination, revenue obligations, information sharing, dispute resolution and regular engagement between the institutions.
The ministers have been given 14 days to convene both institutions and submit the agreed framework, together with a report on outstanding issues, to the President.
In the meantime, TMA and TDC have been directed to refrain from actions, public statements and media engagements that could further escalate the dispute.
President Mahama expects both institutions to cooperate fully towards a lasting resolution and warned that any further confrontation or refusal to comply with the directive would be treated seriously.
