The Mayor of Tema, Hon. Ebi Bright, has sent a powerful message of discipline and order in city development after personally leading a development control exercise to remove all temporary structures in and around the Republic Road School enclave in Tema Central.

The decisive action forms part of her ongoing campaign to restore Tema’s image as Ghana’s first planned city and to ensure that public spaces — especially those around schools — are kept clean, safe, and properly regulated.

For the past five months, Mayor Bright has visited the Republic Road School several times, each visit reflecting her growing concern about the congestion, encroachment, and unauthorized trading activities that had taken over the area.

“This school sits in the heart of Tema’s history,” she stated during the exercise. “Yet its surroundings have been gradually overtaken by disorder. Today marks a turning point — we are taking back the space for our children, for learning, and for the future of Tema.”

The exercise, led by the Mayor in collaboration with the Physical Planning, Works, and Environmental Health Departments of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA), saw the removal of kiosks, container shops, and other temporary structures that had encroached on walkways, drains, and the school’s frontage.

Mayor Bright explained that while the Assembly supports small-scale businesses, it will not condone activities that endanger pupils or compromise Tema’s planned layout. “Development must be guided by order,” she said. “Our goal is not to destroy livelihoods but to protect public safety and restore the city’s dignity.”

She also directed that trees be planted and grass restored around the school compound to improve the environment and serve as a model for community beautification.

Teachers and residents commended the Mayor’s proactive leadership, noting that her consistent engagement has finally brought long-awaited attention to a 30 year old problem residents and relief to the area.

Mayor Bright reiterated that the Republic Road operation is only the beginning of a wider development control drive across Tema under her “Tema Transformation Agenda.”

“We are setting a standard,” she emphasized. “What we are doing here around Republic Road School will be replicated across the city. Tema must remain organized, beautiful, and worthy of its heritage as Ghana’s model planned city.”

Mayor Ebi Bright’s firm leadership in removing unauthorized structures around Republic Road School demonstrates her commitment to restoring order, protecting public spaces, and upholding the vision of Tema as a disciplined and well-planned metropolis