By Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo
Tema, Dec. 31, GNA – The year 2025 marked a defining period for Tema and its surrounding districts, characterised by political milestones, infrastructure renewal, intensified security operations and major reforms at the Tema Port.
The Tema area, comprising the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) and Tema West Municipality, remains Ghana’s industrial heartbeat, hosting the Tema Port, Meridian Port Services (MPS) Terminal Three, the fishing harbour and the canoe beach.
The wider Tema enclave extends through Ashaiman Municipality, Kpone-Katamanso Municipality, Ningo-Prampram District, Ada East, Ada West and Shai-Osudoku.
Local governance
The year opened with intense political speculation over appointments of metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives. In Tema, traditional authorities, youth groups and indigenous residents publicly demanded that the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) position be given to a native, warning of non-cooperation otherwise.
On April 23, 2025, President John Dramani Mahama nominated Ms Ebi Bright, a three-time National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Tema Central, as Tema MCE. Contrary to earlier tensions, her nomination passed peacefully, securing 28 votes in favour and three against, making her the first female MCE of the harbour and industrial city.
Tema West also made history when Mr Ludwig Teye Totimeh received unanimous approval to become the municipality’s first male MCE. While the Ada East confirmation process generated controversy, other districts experienced smooth confirmations of their District Chief Executives.
Infrastructure and beautification
The TMA intensified enforcement of security buffer zones around public institutions, including schools and police installations. Structures encroaching on these areas were removed, transforming the immediate surroundings of the Assembly into landscaped spaces.
The long-congested court enclave was cleared of wooden structures, while the environs of the Republic Road School, at Tema Community Four, were rid of nuisance activities as part of broader beautification efforts.
Sanitation and health
All districts within the Tema enclave actively participated in National Sanitation Day exercises, clearing drains, desilting waterways and removing refuse, with some extending the exercise beyond a single day to a week. Despite these efforts, drainage challenges, sewer blockages, flooding and waste management issues persisted.
On the health front, the commissioning of the Kpone Municipal Hospital significantly improved access to healthcare. Public health campaigns targeting cholera, MPOX and other communicable diseases were intensified. Notably, the Ningo-Prampram District recorded a reduction in anaemia in pregnancy from 38 per cent in 2024 to 26 per cent in 2025.
HPV vaccination exercises for adolescent girls were rolled out across districts, alongside sustained promotion of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life.
Security
Security operations featured prominently in 2025. The Tema Regional Police Command foiled several robbery attempts, neutralised armed suspects and intercepted narcotics, including suspected Indian hemp.
The year also recorded serious incidents, including the murder of a British national at a spot near Tema Community Nine cemetery. Police further dismantled a human trafficking and cyber fraud syndicate operating from Peace Land in Ashaiman and arrested three suspects linked to the attempted smuggling of 248 bags of cocoa beans.
Port and trade
A major economic highlight was the full implementation of 24-hour operations at the Tema Port, easing cargo clearance, reducing demurrage and strengthening Ghana’s competitiveness as a maritime hub.
The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) reported improved turnaround times and enhanced supply chain efficiency. Data from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority showed that between January and August 2025, the port handled 1,299,873 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), up from 1,053,037 TEUs during the same period in 2024.
Mr Reginald Seshie, the Senior Staff Union Chairman of the Authority, described the growth as a strong indicator of port efficiency. Supporting figures from Mr Kudjo Alepe Nyame, Chief Revenue Officer in charge of Outdoor Operations at the Golden Jubilee Terminal, revealed a sharp increase in door-to-door container deliveries, particularly during night operations.
“With these figures, it is clear the 24-hour economy is on course, and the trading public has fully bought into it,” Mr Nyame said.
As 2025 draws to a close, Tema and its environs stand at the intersection of progress and persistent challenges, with governance reforms, infrastructure renewal and economic expansion shaping expectations for the year ahead.
GNA
Edited by Christabel Addo