Tema - Premier port city in the centre of the world
The Tema Metropolitan Assembly was adjudged the best-performing assembly in the country for adopting strategic transformation planning to regenerate the metropolis and strengthen social accountability for national development .
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The 216 assemblies in the country were assessed on all the key thematic areas of development, including health , sanitation, education, security, commercial infrastructure and governance.
The Tema Metropolitan Assembly, under the leadership of the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Isaac Ashai Odamtten, has initiated projects to benefit the metropolis and its residents.
As a result of hard work, Mr Odamtten has also achieved another feat by being elected to head the NALAG at a conference recently held at Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region .
Tema is noted to be on the global line - the Greenwich Meridian - which passes through Ghana.
Tema has grown into a cosmopolis, engaging people of all walks of life.
Its administrative demarcation area includes Baatsona , Spintex , Kotobabi , Lashibi , Adjei Kojo , Klagon , Sakumono, Tema Communities one to 24 , Borteiman, Tema Mahean and part of the Tema industrial enclave . The assembly had to adopt a strategic planning system to salvage the metropolis from losing its image .
The Metropolitan Planning and Development Unit of the assembly has accordingly drawn up strategic plans to develop with specific targets that will ensure that new structures and developments take over old ones to give entire facelift to the metropolis in the short and long term .
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According to Mr Odamtten, the strategic planning was to make Tema ‘people-centred,’ where people can live , work and have leisure .
He was of the view that the corporate vision of the assembly to modernise and improve standards in the metropolis was on course to bring Tema to its original status as a port city with modern facilities.
There is currently a project team in place to plan the celebration of Tema as the centre of the world.
Education
The assembly has initiated the building of modern basic schools at strategic locations in the metropolis to encourage increased enrolment and serve as many children as possible.
These storey-building facilities have computer and science-equipped laboratories, e –libraries and feeding areas among other facilities.
The assembly has also ensured regular supply of furniture to existing schools and offered scholarships to needy, brilliant children.
Security
On security, the assembly has ensured that the metropolis is secured with several security posts to create a safe environment for residents. It has, as of now, mounted 12 police posts at vantage points across the metropolis in addition to the main police stations to cater for the security of the people.
The assembly is yet to complete four more police posts to add to the numerous ones already in operation.
The TMA has also embarked on street lights rehabilitation while adding new ones to illuminate the metropolis.
The formation of watchdog committees in the various communities has been intensified to support the efforts of the security agencies.
The Tema Metropolitan Fire Service has also benefited from the support of the assembly to help make them more functional.
The support, including the donation of a fire engine to the Tema Manhean Fire Post, has helped to curb the usual damage that fires could cause.
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Health
The TMA has been very particular with health issues in the metropolis.
These include the provision of facilities and materials to improve health delivery in the various health facilities.
The Tema General Hospital, for example, had for years, experienced acute water problems but through the instrumentality of Mr Odamtten and in collaboration with the hospital authorities and the Ghana Water Company, water now flows freely through the taps of the hospital.
Hitherto , the hospital had to rely on internally generated funds and the benevolence of good-spirited people for the supply of water through tanker services which caused inconveniences in the health delivery system.
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The TMA has added a new 40-bed maternity ward to the Labour and Delivery Unit of the hospital to afford new mothers some comfort.
The assembly has also constructed a multipurpose modern morgue to serve the metropolis.
The one in operation now is inadequate for the ever-increasing population of the eastern corridors that it serves.
In addition to the various health facilities in the metropolis, the assembly has completed four new modern CHIP Compounds to reduce the workload on the Tema General Hospital .
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Sanitation
This is one area which has caused a lot of disaffection among residents in the metropolis.
Under its strategic planning, the TMA is undertaking a vigorous replacement exercise of sewer pipes which often burst, creating a nuisance to residents.
It has so far cleared over 13,192 blockages and replaced those which could not be cleared.
The assembly has also serviced pumping stations one and two and is working at improving the sanitation situation in the metropolis.
It has been observed that the negative behaviour of some residents has contributed immensely to the constant burst of sewer pipes.
According to the Development Planning Officer of the TMA, Mr Mohammed Ali Amadu , the assembly was engaged in a discussion to undertake long-term projects to solve its sewage problems.
He disclosed that the assembly had plans to also construct a second landfill site to reduce pressure on the existing one.
Mr Amadu said the assembly had constructed drains and storm drains to ensure the free flow of all underground water and flooding during the rainy season.
Governance
The assembly has instituted a town hall outdoor programme where the Mr Odamtten led officials from the TMA, including assemblymen to share ideas with residents.
It also afforded residents the opportunity to know new government policies put in place for local development and also for the assembly to know the difficulties of residents.
The assembly held frequent stakeholder meetings and a quarterly briefing session with the media where issues of interest were discussed to bring governance closer to the people.
On tourism, the assembly has strengthened its partnership with the view of selling Tema and its potentials to the world.
Tema has the Greenwich Meridian Rock located in the Atlantic in the port area which demarcates its route through Ghana and, for that matter, Tema as its central point.
Under the stewardship of Mr Odamtten, Tema has signed a Sister Cities Partnership agreement with the City of Columbia in Maryland, USA.
Other partnerships with Norfolk Virginia and Greenwich United Kingdom have also received adequate boost in recent times.
Mr Odamtten is billed to sign a memorandum of understanding with the City of Durban in the Republic of South Africa.
Tema now has a festival to commemorate the Greenwich Meridian known as Merifest, which also recognises the cosmopolitan nature of the port city.
This festival brings together all ethnic groups to showcase their customs and traditions to forge unity among themselves.
Way forward
Mr Odamtten has called on residents to support the government and for that matter the assembly, to generate more funds through payments of taxes to help provide amenities to regenerate the metropolis.