TMA is highest authority in Tema, TDC must comply with its regulations — President

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 directive was contained in a letter issued by the Office of the President on 28 August 2026, following a prolonged dispute between the two state institutions over development control and permitting in Tema. According to the Presidency, the TMA is responsible for the overall development of the metropolis, including human settlements, municipal services, revenue mobilisation and local planning.

The government also maintained that the Assembly remains the local planning authority with the legal mandate to regulate physical development and issue development and building permits within its jurisdiction. TDC, by contrast, was described as a commercially oriented real estate developer and not a municipal, legislative or planning authority. The Presidency consequently directed the company to recognise and comply with the TMA’s statutory authority over development control, spatial planning, permits, municipal services, rates, fees and other regulatory matters.

This means TDC’s projects and other activities within the Tema Metropolis must conform to the Assembly’s regulations and all applicable laws. The President, however, cautioned the TMA to exercise its regulatory powers fairly, transparently and strictly in accordance with the law. The Assembly must ensure that the enforcement of its mandate does not unnecessarily obstruct legitimate development, investment or the commercial operations of TDC.

The directive further stated that neither institution should take over functions legally assigned to the other. While the TMA is expected to concentrate on its municipal and regulatory mandate, TDC is to focus on property development and its related commercial responsibilities. Background to the dispute The presidential intervention follows a confrontation over TDC’s construction activities at Community One, Sites 3 and 8 in Tema.

The TMA issued a stop-work order and subsequently demolished portions of structures at the project site, insisting that the development had commenced without the necessary permits. The Assembly maintained that TDC’s ownership and management of land did not exempt the company from complying wit… 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.

In a letter dated 28 August 2026, the Presidency affirmed the TMA as the highest political and administrative authority within the Tema Metropolis. It said the Assembly is responsible for the metropolis’ overall development, human settlements, municipal services, revenue mobilisation and local planning. The Presidency also maintained that the TMA remains the local planning authority, with responsibility for regulating physical development and issuing development and building permits within its jurisdiction.