By Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo
Tema, Sept. 10, GNA – The Ghana News Agency (GNA) has commended Madam Ebi Bright, Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), for leading the removal of illegal structures encroaching on the Agency’s premises in Tema.
Mr Albert Kofi Owusu, General Manager of the GNA, said the encroachment had created security, environmental and operational concerns for the Agency and obstructed the frontage of its office.
He said the structures had made it difficult for the public to easily identify and access the GNA office while creating inconvenience for both staff and residents in the area.
Mr Owusu noted that the Agency had, for some time, drawn the attention of the relevant authorities to the encroachment before the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) issued eviction notices to the occupants.
He said notices were posted on the structures, giving the occupants until the end of July 2026 to vacate the premises, but the notices were subsequently removed.
According to him, the situation was particularly worrying because the GNA was a state-owned media institution that played a strategic national role in news gathering and dissemination.
Mr Owusu said the presence of unauthorised structures around the premises also raised security concerns, including uncertainty about activities taking place behind the office and the possibility of illegal utility connections.
He noted that the GNA was currently renovating its Tema Regional Office and required the frontage to be cleared to create a safer and more accessible environment for staff and visitors.
Mr Owusu expressed appreciation to Madam Bright for personally participating in the enforcement exercise to ensure the implementation of the eviction notices.
He said the MCE’s decision to accompany the enforcement team demonstrated commitment to the exercise and provided assurance that the process would be properly executed.
Mr Owusu also commended the TMA’s broader decongestion and clean-up campaign, saying similar initiatives by metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies across the country could enhance urban management and environmental sanitation.
“If citizens of Tema will support her, Tema will be the beautiful city that it used to be,” he said.
He appealed to residents to comply with planning regulations and refrain from occupying public or private lands and spaces without authorisation.
Mr Owusu said the clearance exercise would help the Agency maintain a cleaner, safer and more conducive working environment while benefiting residents and other users of the area.
The General Manager expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the exercise and hoped the cleared frontage would remain free from future encroachment.
GNA
Edited by Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo
Email: [email protected]