TDC, Tema Assembly clash over demolition of development project at Community 1
A dispute between TDC Ghana Limited and the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) has intensified following the demolition of portions of a TDC development project at Tema Community 1, Site 3.
The two state institutions have presented different accounts of the dispute, with TDC arguing that the project falls under a longstanding government-to-government arrangement, while the TMA maintains that all physical developments 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 Assembly on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, as “extremely unfortunate”.
He said the action was inconsistent with the government’s broader efforts to promote infrastructure development, create jobs and improve living conditions.
According to Mr Nunekpeku, TDC has historically maintained a working relationship with metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies within its operational areas, including the TMA, under which the company undertook developments without obtaining building permits from the assemblies.
He said the arrangement dated back several decades and had applied to various TDC projects within the Tema Acquisition Area, including the Community 26 affordable housing project, TDC Towers at Community 2 and shops at Community 18.
Mr Nunekpeku explained that the latest development formed part of a broader programme for which TDC had completed 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 construction commenced after those processes had been completed, but the TMA subsequently raised concerns about the project.
Demolition
Mr Nunekpeku said TDC received a letter from the Assembly on August 7, giving the company seven days to respond to or comply with the directive.
He said TDC responded on August 10, explaining the longstanding institutional relationship between the two entities. However, the Assembly proceeded to the project site on August 12 and demolished portions of the contractor’s work and site hoardings.
The dispute has consequently centred on whether TDC’s longstanding institutional arrangement with the assemblies exempts the company from current planning and development permitting requirements.
Mr Nunekpeku maintained that the history of TDC developments demonstrated the existence of such an arrangement and called for the matter to be resolved through dialogue.
He warned that disputes between state institutions could undermine projects intended to create jobs and provide much-needed infrastructure.
TMA’s Position
The Metropolitan Chief Executive for Tema, Ebi Bright, however, defended the Assembly’s action, saying the TMA was exercising its statutory mandate as the planning and development authority for the metropolis.
She said the intervention followed a petition from residents of Site 3 concerning 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 Ms Bright, the Assembly inspected the affected areas and found evidence supporting some of the complaints.
She stressed that ownership of land did not automatically confer planning and development control powers on TDC, arguing that developments on TDC-owned land must still comply with applicable planning laws and obtain the necessary permits.
Ms Bright 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 explained that where a development involved changing the designated use of land or public spaces, residents and relevant statutory authorities were required to be consulted and the necessary approvals obtained.
She said the disputed project had not gone through that process, prompting the Assembly to direct the developers to suspend work pending further engagement.
Traditional Council Calls for Restraint
Meanwhile, the Tema Traditional Council has appealed to both sides to exercise restraint and resolve the dispute through dialogue.