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 dispute between the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) and TDC Ghana Limited.
The two ministers have been directed to establish an administrative and operational framework clearly defining the respective roles and responsibilities of the TMA and TDC.
They are also required to submit the framework, together with a comprehensive report on all outstanding issues between the two institutions, to the President within the 14-day deadline.
The directive forms part of measures by the government to secure an immediate and lasting resolution to the impasse and prevent further institutional confrontation.
As part of the directive, President Mahama affirmed the Tema Metropolitan Assembly as the highest political and administrative authority within the Tema Metropolis.
He therefore directed TDC Ghana Limited to recognise and comply with the Assembly’s constitutional and statutory authority in matters relating to development control, spatial planning, permitting, municipal services, rates, fees and other lawful regulatory requirements within the metropolis.
The President, however, cautioned the Assembly to exercise its authority fairly, transparently and strictly in accordance with the law.
He said the Assembly’s regulatory powers must not be exercised arbitrarily or in a manner that unnecessarily frustrates legitimate development, investment or the commercial operations of TDC.
President Mahama has further directed both institutions to suspend ongoing actions, public statements and media engagements that could worsen the dispute.
The administrative and operational framework to be developed by the two ministers is expected to provide clear mechanisms for development permitting, infrastructure coordination, revenue obligations and information sharing.
It will also include procedures for resolving future disputes and arrangements for periodic engagement between the TMA and TDC to promote cooperation and prevent similar conflicts.
President Mahama warned that any further institutional confrontation, public exchanges or refusal by either party to comply with the directive would be treated seriously.
The directive is expected to provide a clearer basis for cooperation between the TMA and TDC while safeguarding the Assembly’s statutory authority and ensuring that legitimate development and investment activities within the Tema Metropolis are not unnecessarily disrupted.
