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The Tema Development Corporation (TDC) launched a robust crackdown on institutions with overdue payments on ground rents, signaling a no-compromise approach to debt recovery. This initiative involved close collaboration with the army, a dedicated task force, and the media to ensure the effective enforcement of payment obligations on state-owned properties. Spearheaded by the General Manager of Finance and Administration, Mr. Abdul Mumin Yakubu, alongside Managing Director Courage Makafui Nunekpeku and the TDC operational team, the exercise targeted entities that had accumulated significant arrears over the years. During the operations, the task force took firm actions, including locking up businesses of defaulters who failed to clear their debts promptly. While some companies took advantage of the opportunity to settle their accounts on the spot, others had their premises sealed, sending a strong message that overdue payments would no longer be tolerated. Mr. Yakubu emphasized that the TDC had a statutory duty to recover all receivables from state properties, underscoring that some property owners had neglected their payments for nearly a decade. The exercise was fully supported by legal backing, reinforcing its legitimacy and seriousness. Managing Director Nunekpeku highlighted that the crackdown was not a one-off event but an ongoing exercise, extending even to Sundays to reach churches, mosques, and other building owners. He publicly urged all owing institutions to take immediate action by visiting the TDC offices to arrange payments before they faced disruptions. This proactive stance aimed to clear long-standing debts and maintain the integrity and financial sustainability of state-owned property management. Addressing a common excuse among some defaulting property owners, Nunekpeku stressed that being abroad was no longer a valid reason for non-payment. With access to digital payment platforms, all landlords, whether local or overseas, were expected to fulfill their obligations without delay. The Managing Director made it clear that excuses would not be tolerated, signaling the TDC’s firm commitment to enforcing compliance across all categories of property owners. This crackdown by the TDC represented a significant push toward financial accountability and responsible property management in Tema. By leveraging legal authority and operational collaboration, the corporation aimed to improve revenue collection and ensure the efficient administration of state assets. The campaign underscored the importance of timely payments and served as a clear warning to all defaulters that the era of leniency was over. Source: Ohemaa Adusi-Poku
