By Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA
Tema, March 17, GNA — Tema Newtown, also known as Manhean, once regarded as a well-planned and beautiful settlement, has over the years deteriorated into a congested community grappling with environmental and infrastructural challenges, Nii Amarh Soumponu II, Tema Stool Secretary and Shipi, has said.
Today, the mention of Tema Newtown evokes varied impressions among residents and visitors, ranging from a vibrant fishing community to concerns about environmental pollution, overcrowding, poor sanitation, and unregulated development.
Tema Newtown was established following the relocation of the indigenous Tema communities during the construction of the Tema Harbour and remains a stronghold of Ga traditions and culture amid rapid urbanisation.
Unlike the planned Tema communities, Manhean developed organically, resulting in limited spatial order and increasing strain on infrastructure.
The area is currently characterised by dense population, closely packed compound houses, narrow and often unplanned access routes, and a mix of residential and commercial activities.
The local economy remains largely dependent on artisanal fishing, fish processing and trading, as well as petty trading and informal services, with many of the youth now engaged in commercial tricycle and motorcycle transport services.
However, Nii Soumponu said the current state of the town was a sharp contrast to what existed in the early years following relocation.
He disclosed that at the time of resettlement in the 1950s, Tema Newtown was well-organised, clean, and equipped with essential social amenities.
“Every clan house had a 20-seater water closet. Comparing now and then, I will say Manhean was better in those days,” he said in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA).
Explaining the decline, Nii Soumponu attributed the situation partly to rapid population growth driven by migration.
According to him, non-indigenes now form most of the population, with indigenes constituting less than 30 per cent of residents.
He explained that Tema’s status as an industrial and harbour city had attracted people from across Ghana and beyond in search of economic opportunities.
This, he said, had placed immense pressure on existing infrastructure and led to the proliferation of makeshift structures without proper planning or sanitation facilities.
“Many people have moved here in search of jobs over the years, and the facilities have been stretched, reducing their lifespan,” he said.
He added that the emergence of various ethnic enclaves such as Ayigbe Town and Fante Town reflected the increasing diversity and population density of the area.
Nii Soumponu expressed concern that the strain on infrastructure had contributed to sanitation challenges, including pollution and open defecation, which have affected the once pristine environment.
He called on both natives and residents to unite and take collective responsibility to restore the cleanliness and dignity of Tema Newtown.
According to him, with renewed commitment and community cooperation, the town could regain its former glory.
GNA
Kenneth Odeng Adade