A dispute between the TDC Ghana Ltd and the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) has escalated following the demolition of portions of a TDC development project at Tema Community 1 site 3 Tema.
The two state institutions have offered contrasting accounts of the dispute, with TDC maintaining that it had acted under a longstanding government-to-government arrangement, while the TMA insists that all physical development within the metropolis must comply with statutory planning and permitting requirements.
The Managing Director of TDC, Courage Makafui Nunekpeku, described the demolition, carried out by the TMA on Wednesday August 12, 2026 as “extremely unfortunate” and said it was inconsistent with the government’s commitment to infrastructure development, job creation and improved living conditions.
He said TDC had maintained a longstanding relationship with the various assemblies within its operational area, including the TMA, under which the company had historically undertaken developments without obtaining building permits from the assemblies.
According to him, the arrangement dated back decades and had applied to several TDC developments, including projects within the Tema Acquisition Area including, Community 26 affordable housing, TDC Towers at Community 2 and shops at Community 18.
Mr Nunekpeku said the latest project was part of a broader programme for which TDC had gone through the required government procurement and approval processes, including approvals from the Ministry of Finance, the Public Procurement Authority and the Ministry of Works and Housing.
He said work commenced after the necessary processes had been completed, but the TMA subsequently raised concerns about the development.
Demolition
Mr Nunekpeku said TDC received a letter from the Assembly on August 7, giving it seven days to respond or comply with the directive.
He said the company responded on August 10 by explaining the longstanding relationship between the two institutions, but the Assembly proceeded to the site on August 12 and demolished portions of the contractor’s work and hoardings.
The core disagreement is whether TDC’s longstanding institutional practice can exempt it from current planning and permitting requirements.
Mr Nunekpeku argued that the history of TDC developments demonstrated that such an arrangement had existed for decades and urged state institutions to resolve their differences through dialogue.
He also warned that disputes could affect projects intended to create jobs and provide infrastructure.
Rebuttal
The Metropolitan Chief Executive for Tema, Ebi Bright, however, said the Assembly was acting within its statutory mandate as the planning and development authority for the metropolis.
She said the TMA’s intervention followed a petition from residents of site 3 over alleged unlawful development activities, including the felling of about 50 trees, demolition of existing structures, appropriation of playgrounds and green spaces, and obstruction of access routes.
According to her, the Assembly inspected the affected areas and found evidence that some of the complaints were taking place.
Ms Bright said land ownership did not automatically confer planning and development control powers on TDC, stressing that developments on TDC-owned land remained subject to applicable planning laws and permits.
She cited the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act, 2016 (Act 925), and relevant provisions of the 1992 Constitution as the legal basis for the Assembly’s position.
“The fact that the state now owns a real estate company does not say that the state will break the law,” she said.
The MCE said where a development involved changing the designated use of land or public space, affected residents and relevant statutory authorities had to be consulted and the necessary approvals obtained.
She said the disputed development had not followed that process, resulting in the Assembly directing the developers to stop work pending further engagement.
Dialogue
Meanwhile, the Tema Traditional Council has appealed for restraint and dialogue.
The Stool Secretary of the Council, Nii Amarh Somponu II, said the parties must resolve their differences within the law to prevent tensions from escalating.
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