A GNA feature by Comfort Sena Fetrie-Akagbor
Tema, Oct. 31, GNA — From its origins as a Ga fishing and farming settlement known as Torman to its transformation into a planned industrial city, Tema’s history reflects one of Ghana’s major post-independence urban development projects.
The settlement, traditionally associated with the cultivation of a calabash plant known locally as “tor”, derived its name from Torman, commonly interpreted as “town of gourds.” The name was subsequently corrupted to Tema.
The area was home to Ga indigenes whose livelihoods included fishing and farming before plans emerged to establish a deep-water harbour and an industrial township to support Ghana’s expanding economy.
The decision to develop Tema
In the early 1950s, the Gold Coast government selected Tema for the construction of a new harbour to complement the existing port at Takoradi and support growing trade and industrial activity.
According to the TDC Ghana Limited, approximately 63 square miles of land were acquired in 1952 from the traditional authorities of Tema, Nungua and Kpone for the development of the harbour and its surrounding township.
The TDC was established to plan and develop the acquired area, including residential accommodation, industrial and commercial sites and supporting infrastructure.
The development formed part of the post-independence vision of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President, to establish modern infrastructure that would support industrialisation and economic growth.
The construction of Tema Harbour began in 1954. By 1958, the port was sufficiently advanced to receive a cargo vessel, while regular port operations began following its commissioning in 1962.
The harbour’s development was accompanied by the construction of roads, industrial facilities and residential communities intended to accommodate workers who would support port operations and the growing industrial sector.
Resettlement and the creation of Tema’s communities
The transformation of Tema also brought significant changes to the lives of its original inhabitants.
The development required the relocation of residents of the original settlement from the Harbour-Meridian area to Tema Manhean, also known as Tema New Town. The resettlement remains an important part of the town’s history and the relationship between the traditional community and the modern city.
The new township was developed around planned residential communities intended to provide housing and essential services for workers and their families.
Nii Amarh Somponu II, the Spokesperson for the Tema Traditional Council and Tema Shipi, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that Community One occupied an important place in the development of the planned township.
He explained that Community One was organised into designated sites, with residential areas and facilities serving different administrative, commercial and occupational needs.
The original plan incorporated housing, markets, schools, recreational areas and community facilities to support residents’ daily activities.
According to Nii Somponu, some areas were associated with port workers, seafarers and government employees, reflecting the close relationship between Tema’s residential planning and the development of its harbour and industries.
Community One subsequently evolved into an important commercial and transport centre, with markets, educational institutions, public offices and other facilities serving residents and people from neighbouring communities.
Other communities were also developed to accommodate workers associated with industrial enterprises and the expanding port economy.
Growth of the harbour and industrial sector
Tema’s development continued beyond its initial residential planning.
The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority records that the port began regular operations in 1962 and received its first tanker vessel in June 1963, delivering crude oil through pipelines to the Tema Oil Refinery.
Construction of the Tema Shipyard and Dry-dock began in 1964 as part of the infrastructure supporting the country’s maritime industry.
The port, refinery, shipyard and other industrial establishments helped establish Tema as an important centre for manufacturing, logistics, shipping and commercial activity.
The city’s industrial base expanded to include enterprises in aluminum production, cement manufacturing, food processing and other sectors.
The Tema Motorway also strengthened the connection between Tema and Accra, facilitating the movement of workers, goods and services between the industrial city and the national capital.
Tema’s continuing economic importance
Today, Tema remains a major contributor to Ghana’s maritime trade and industrial production.
The port serves as a key gateway for imports and exports, while its surrounding industrial and logistics zones support employment, manufacturing and the movement of goods across the country and the wider West African region.
The city also continues to accommodate residential growth, commercial activity and infrastructure development as its population and economic functions expand.
However, the development of the modern city has also brought challenges associated with population growth, pressure on infrastructure and the changing character of its original planned communities.
The history of Tema therefore extends beyond the construction of a harbour. It reflects the transformation of a traditional Ga settlement into a major urban and industrial centre, while raising continuing questions about heritage, resettlement, urban planning and the preservation of community identity.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/Benjamin Mensah
Feature Writer: Comfort Sena Fetrie-Akagbor, GNA
Email address: [email protected]