Tema - Premier port city in the centre of the world

The Tema  Metropolitan Assembly was adjudged the best-performing assembly in the  country for adopting  strategic transformation  planning  to regenerate  the metropolis and strengthen  social  accountability for national development .

The 216  assemblies in the country  were assessed  on all  the key  thematic  areas of development, including  health , sanitation,  education,  security,  commercial infrastructure and governance.      

The  Tema Metropolitan Assembly, under the leadership of  the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Isaac Ashai Odamtten,  has initiated  projects to benefit the metropolis  and its residents.  

As  a result  of hard work,  Mr Odamtten has also achieved another feat by being elected to head the  NALAG  at a conference  recently held at Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region .

Tema is noted  to be  on  the global line  - the Greenwich  Meridian - which passes through  Ghana.

Tema has grown into a cosmopolis, engaging people of all walks of life.

Its administrative demarcation area includes  Baatsona , Spintex ,  Kotobabi , Lashibi , Adjei Kojo , Klagon , Sakumono, Tema Communities  one to 24 , Borteiman,  Tema Mahean and part of the Tema industrial enclave .  The assembly had to adopt a strategic planning system to salvage the metropolis from losing its image . 

The Metropolitan  Planning  and Development  Unit of the assembly  has  accordingly drawn up  strategic  plans  to develop  with specific targets  that will ensure that  new structures  and developments  take over  old  ones to give entire facelift to the metropolis in the short and long term .

According to Mr Odamtten, the strategic planning  was to make Tema  ‘people-centred,’  where  people  can live , work  and  have leisure .

He was of the view that the corporate vision of the assembly to modernise and improve standards in the metropolis was on course to bring Tema to its original status as  a port city with modern facilities.

There is currently a project team in place to plan the  celebration of  Tema as the centre of the world.

Education  

The assembly has initiated the building of  modern basic schools at strategic locations in the metropolis to encourage increased enrolment  and serve as many children as possible. 

These storey-building facilities have computer and science-equipped laboratories, e –libraries and feeding areas among other facilities. 

The assembly has also ensured regular supply of furniture to existing schools and offered scholarships to needy, brilliant children.  

Security 

On security, the assembly has ensured that the metropolis is secured with several security posts to create a safe environment for residents.  It has, as of now, mounted 12 police posts at vantage points across the metropolis in addition to the main police stations to cater for the security of the people.

The assembly is yet to complete four more  police posts to add to the numerous  ones already in operation. 

The  TMA has also embarked on street lights rehabilitation while adding new ones to  illuminate the metropolis.

The formation of watchdog committees in the various communities has been intensified to support the  efforts of the security agencies.

The Tema Metropolitan Fire Service has also benefited from the  support of the assembly to help make them more functional.

The support, including the  donation of a fire engine to the Tema Manhean Fire Post, has helped to curb the  usual damage that fires could cause.

Health

The TMA has been very particular with health issues in the metropolis.

These include the provision of facilities and materials to improve health delivery in the various health facilities.

The Tema General Hospital, for example, had for years, experienced acute water problems but through the instrumentality of  Mr Odamtten and  in collaboration with the hospital authorities and the Ghana Water Company, water now flows freely through the taps of the hospital.

Hitherto , the hospital had to rely on internally generated funds and the benevolence of good-spirited people for the supply of water through tanker services which caused inconveniences in the health delivery system.   

The TMA has added a new 40-bed maternity ward to the Labour and Delivery Unit of the hospital to afford new mothers some comfort.  

The assembly has also constructed a multipurpose modern morgue to serve the metropolis.

The one in operation now is inadequate for the ever-increasing population of the eastern corridors that it serves.

In addition to the various health facilities in the metropolis, the assembly has completed four new modern CHIP Compounds to reduce the workload on the Tema General Hospital .

Sanitation   

This is one area which has caused a lot of  disaffection among residents in the metropolis.  

Under its strategic planning, the TMA is undertaking a vigorous replacement exercise of sewer pipes which often burst, creating a  nuisance to residents. 

It has so far cleared over 13,192 blockages and replaced those which could not be cleared.

The assembly has also serviced pumping stations one and two and is working at improving the sanitation situation in the metropolis.

It has been observed that the negative behaviour of some residents has contributed immensely to the constant burst of sewer pipes.

According to the Development Planning Officer of the TMA, Mr Mohammed Ali Amadu , the assembly was engaged in a discussion to undertake long-term projects to solve its sewage problems.

He disclosed that the assembly had plans to also construct a second landfill site to reduce pressure on the existing one.

Mr Amadu said the assembly had constructed drains and storm drains to ensure the  free flow of all underground water and flooding during the  rainy season.

Governance

The assembly has instituted a town hall outdoor programme where the Mr Odamtten led officials from the TMA, including assemblymen to  share ideas with  residents.

It also afforded residents the opportunity  to know new government policies put in place for local  development  and also for the assembly to  know the difficulties of residents.

The assembly  held frequent stakeholder meetings and a quarterly briefing session with the media where issues of interest were discussed to bring governance closer to the people.  

On tourism, the assembly has strengthened its partnership with the view of selling Tema and its potentials to the world.   

Tema has the Greenwich Meridian Rock located in the Atlantic in the port area which demarcates its route through Ghana and, for that matter, Tema as its central point.

Under the stewardship of  Mr Odamtten, Tema has  signed  a Sister  Cities  Partnership  agreement  with  the City of Columbia  in Maryland, USA.

Other partnerships with Norfolk Virginia and Greenwich United Kingdom have also received adequate boost in recent times.

Mr Odamtten is billed to sign a memorandum of understanding with the City of Durban in the Republic of South Africa.

Tema now has a festival to commemorate the Greenwich Meridian known as Merifest, which also recognises the cosmopolitan nature of the port city.    

This festival brings together all ethnic groups to showcase their customs and traditions to forge unity among themselves. 

Way forward

Mr  Odamtten has called on residents to support the government and for that matter the assembly,  to generate more funds through payments of taxes  to  help provide amenities  to regenerate the metropolis.