Madam Ebi Bright, Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), has led a team of officials from the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) to enforce an eviction notice issued to encroachers operating within the precincts of the Ghana News Agency (GNA) Tema Regional Office.
The exercise, undertaken on Wednesday, September 9, formed part of efforts to clear unauthorised structures and activities from designated security zones under the ongoing Tema Facelift Initiative, aimed at restoring order and improving the physical environment of the metropolis.
Accompanied by Mr Albert Kofi Owusu, General Manager of the GNA, Madam Bright inspected the affected area and supervised the enforcement of notices earlier served on the occupants to vacate the premises.
The occupants had been given prior notice to leave the area, with the Assembly warning that enforcement action would be taken against those who failed to comply.
Madam Bright said the enforcement of security zones was necessary to protect government installations and other critical public infrastructure from encroachment and unauthorised activities.
She explained that the Assembly’s approach involved engaging affected occupants, explaining the reasons for the exercise and assessing the extent of damage to public utilities and infrastructure before undertaking any demolition or clearance.
The MCE noted that unauthorised structures could compromise utility networks, including sewage, water and electricity systems, while creating environmental and public safety concerns.
She added that the removal of the structures could expose previously concealed damage to public infrastructure, requiring further repair works by the Assembly.
Mr Owusu commended the MCE for personally leading the exercise, describing the action as timely given the security and operational concerns posed by the encroachment on the premises of the GNA.
He said the structures had obstructed the frontage of the Agency’s office and affected the visibility and accessibility of the facility.
Mr Owusu noted that the GNA was currently undertaking renovation works on its Tema Regional Office and therefore required the surrounding area to be cleared to ensure a safe and conducive environment for staff and visitors.
He appealed to residents to support the Assembly’s efforts to restore order in the metropolis and comply with planning and development regulations.
Meanwhile, the GNA gathered that the affected shops were allegedly rented to unsuspecting occupants by the operator of Perry Tech Limited, a car air-conditioning repair company operating behind the Agency’s wall.
Some of the evicted shop operators told the GNA that they had each paid a three-year rent advance at a monthly rate of GH¢1,600 to secure the shops.
They said some tenants moved into the structures after the TMA had already pasted quit notices on them but later discovered that the notices had been removed.
The development has left the affected occupants facing eviction despite having paid substantial sums of money to occupy the shops.