On 28 August 2026, President John Dramani Mahama issued a letter from the Office of the President demanding that the ministers for local government and housing develop a framework to resolve the institutional dispute between the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) and TDC Ghana Limited within 14 days. The directive requires the Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Ahmed Ibrahim, and the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, to convene a meeting with representatives from both institutions and submit an agreed administrative and operational framework, along with a report on all outstanding issues, to the President by the deadline.
The proposed framework must clearly define the roles and working relationship between the TMA and TDC, covering development permitting, infrastructure coordination, revenue obligations, information sharing, dispute resolution and regular engagement. It is intended to prevent further clashes over development control and building permits within the Tema Metropolis.
The dispute escalated after the TMA issued a stop‑work order and demolished portions of a TDC project at Community One, Sites 3 and 8. The Assembly claimed the development began without necessary permits, while TDC argued it had a separate statutory mandate to plan, lay out and develop the Tema Acquisition Area. The Presidency has recognised the TMA as the highest political and administrative authority in the metropolis and affirmed its responsibility for overall development, human settlements, municipal services, revenue mobilisation and local planning. It also confirmed that the TMA is the local planning authority responsible for regulating physical development and issuing permits.
TDC, described as a commercially oriented real estate developer, has been directed to comply with the TMA’s statutory powers over development control, spatial planning, permits, municipal services, rates, fees and other regulatory matters. Conversely, the TMA has been cautioned to exercise its powers fairly, transparently and strictly in accordance with the law, without unnecessarily obstructing legitimate development or TDC’s commercial activities. Both institutions are ordered to halt any actions, public statements or media engagements that could worsen the dispute until a resolution is reached.
President Mahama expects full cooperation and an immediate, lasting resolution of the impasse. He warned that any further institutional conflict, public confrontation or refusal to comply with the directive would be taken seriously.
