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By Edward Graham Sebbie
The Tema Development Company Limited (TDC Ghana) has embarked on a comprehensive revenue mobilization drive to recover about half a billion Ghana cedis owed to it by leaseholders and occupants of houses, shops, offices, and lands as ground rent within its acquisition area.
The exercise, which began on Monday, October 27, 2025, at the Tema Light and Heavy Industrial Areas, forms part of the company’s broader efforts to enhance revenue collection and ensure compliance with the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036). Leaseholders are legally required under Section 35 of the Land Act to pay annual ground rent as stipulated in their respective lease agreements.
According to TDC Ghana Limited, the company is therefore acting within the law to ensure that all leaseholders, tenants, and businesses fulfill their financial obligations to the state.
Staff of TDC Ghana Limited, led by the Finance Department and the Managing Director himself, visited various facilities during the exercise to enforce compliance and engage directly with rent defaulters, including business operators, industrial firms, and private tenants within the Tema Metropolis.
Security officers who accompanied the TDC team locked up some facilities whose owners failed to show good faith by settling their outstanding payments. Some defaulters, upon seeing the team, quickly mobilized funds on the spot to clear part or all of their debts.
The Managing Director of TDC Ghana Limited, Courage Makafui Nunekpeku, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to sustain the revenue recovery drive throughout the last quarter of 2025.
Among the debtors, he disclosed, are the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and Valco Aluminium Company, who owe colossal amounts to TDC. “This revenue recovery exercise will be sustained throughout the year. We must retrieve the funds owed to us; a significant amount remains outstanding,” he stressed.
“We want to send a clear message to everyone, regardless of status or position, to fulfill their financial obligations to the state. The government has provided you with services; it’s only right that you pay what is due,” Mr. Nunekpeku emphasized.
He also revealed that, apart from the major companies, churches and mosques that owe ground rent will equally not be spared. “We will run our operations even on Sundays to collect what is due or lock up such facilities,” he warned.
The TDC boss expressed disappointment that some entities have defaulted for over a decade despite making substantial profits from TDC-managed properties. “Many of them are generating considerable income from these facilities yet refuse to pay what they owe to TDC Ghana Limited. It’s unfortunate they have been allowed to owe for so long, but now, the job must be seen to be done,” he stated firmly.
He further revealed that TDC Ghana Limited is leveraging its 24-hour service delivery system to operate seven days a week to make payment more convenient for clients.
“Our offices will be open every day, with a 24-hour service system to accommodate all clients. Even on Saturdays, staff will be available to receive payments,” he said.
Among the leaseholder defaulters is Datus International School at Tema Community 7, which owes GH¢130,000, and A.K. Buachie-Kesse, who owes GH¢2.78 million to TDC Ghana Limited.
The Tema Central Mall, which houses establishments such as First Atlantic Bank, Max Mart, and Electromart, is also said to owe GH¢280,000 in ground rent.
According to the TDC Managing Director, the exercise will continue through the rest of the year to cover all 21 entities owing the company in ground rent.
