The Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) on Wednesday, February 17, 2021, Inaugurated two Sub-Metropolitan District Councils.
They are the Tema Central Sub-Metropolitan District Council, a completely new Sub-Metro and Tema East Sub-Metropolitan District Council, which was until Wednesday, the only Sub-Metro under the Tema Metropolitan Assembly.
Each of the Councils has 20 members; compromising of 11 elected Assembly Members and 9 Government appointees.
The occasion also saw the election of chairmen for the Councils. Hon. Sylvester Yanky of the Union Electoral Area in Tema Community 7 was elected the chairman for Tema Central, while Government appointee, Hon. Joseph Ashitey was elected the chairman for Tema East.
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The exercise was in fulfilment of the Legal Regime contained in Section 3 (4) of the Local Governance Act 2016 (Act 936) and the Local Government Sub-Metropolitan District Councils of Metropolitan Assemblies (Establishment, Composition and Functions) Instrument, 2015, LI 222 3.
The Councilors are expected to number and keep records of each rateable property in the area, be responsible for the day-to-day administration of the area, promote and safeguard Public Health, Management of waste in the area, recommend to the Assembly the name for each street in your area and the numbering of building, along the streets and responsible for the administration of self-help projects.
The others are prepare annual estimates that cover revenue and expenditure for inclusions in the budget of the Assembly, keep streets clean, maintain and control parks for motor and other vehicles and to promote the development of sports within your area of authority, as well as maintain public parks and gardens.
The Metropolitan Chief Executive, Hon. Felix Nii Mensah Anang-La, in his inaugural address, disclosed that, waste management was one of the greatest challenges of the Assembly.
“May I emphasize that one of our greatest challenges confronting us is the Management of waste and environmental sanitation. As community leaders, I will entreat you to put premium on sanitation to rid the City of filth” he urged.
The MCE also charged the councils to do their best to galvanize the support of all, including the Tema traditional council, faith based organizations, businesses and the general public to help realize a restoration agenda he has declared for Tema; termed ‘The Tema Restoration Agenda’.
“There is no doubt that you are assuming Office at a time when the communal spirit in our various localities has declined. You are expected to galvanise the grassroots and get them involved in achieving the sustainable development goals which are eluding us as residents of Tema, the model City in Ghana.” Mr Anang-La said.
The inauguration was attended my the Member of Parliament for Tema Central, Hon. Hanson Nii Noi and the former MP, Hon. Kofi Brako.
The Shipi of the Tema Traditional Council, Nii Shipi Amarh and the Manklo of Tema, Nii Adjetey Agbo II, chaired the Tema Central and East events, respectively.
By Benjamin Nii-Lartey Ayiku