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 impasse between the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) and TDC Ghana Limited.
The two Ministers are to establish an administrative and operational framework clearly defining the respective roles and responsibilities of TMA and TDC and submit it, together with a report on all outstanding matters, to the President within the 14-day period.
The directive forms part of measures to bring an immediate and lasting resolution to the dispute between the two institutions.
As part of the directive, President Mahama has affirmed TMA as the highest political and administrative authority within the Tema Metropolis.
He has directed TDC to recognise and comply with TMA’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 TMA to exercise its authority fairly, transparently and strictly in accordance with the law. He said the Assembly’s regulatory powers must not be applied arbitrarily or in a manner that unnecessarily obstructs legitimate development, investment or the commercial operations of TDC.
President Mahama has also directed both institutions to cease ongoing actions, public statements and media engagements that could aggravate the impasse.
The framework to be developed by the two Ministers is expected to include mechanisms for development permitting, infrastructure coordination, revenue obligations, information sharing, dispute resolution and periodic engagement between TMA and TDC.
The President has warned that any further institutional conflict, public confrontation or refusal to comply with the directive will be viewed seriously.
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