The Managing Director of TDC Ghana Ltd, Courage Nunekpeku, said the exercise, which was scheduled for last Friday, November 14, 2025, followed several complaints from the school’s management about the growing number of illegal activities around the school, which they said were affecting teaching and learning.

However, at the time of going to press, the TDC said the encroachers had been given until the end of the month to remove their structures, failure of which would result in their demolition.

Speaking to the media during a tour of the school’s premises last Monday, Mr Nunekpeku said TDC had a duty to ensure that the school environment remained safe and conducive for academic work.

“The management of Tema Secondary School wrote to us to complain about the encroachment of their premises by vendors, pubs and drinking spots. We responded positively because we have a duty to clear these areas so that the students can have a serene atmosphere for learning,” he said.

Notification

He stated that the TDC had notified all relevant stakeholders, including the Tema West Metropolitan Assembly, the Tema West Member of Parliament, the assemblyman, the police and the fire service, about the planned demolition exercise.

“We have been on them for several years. We have consistently warned them that you cannot operate a drinking spot or a ghetto around a school,” he added.

Mr Nunekpeku described the situation around the school as unacceptable, citing poor sanitation and public nuisance created by the unauthorised operators.

“They have no places of convenience, and some dump refuse and waste into the school compound. It is unhealthy and unsafe for the students,” he stated.

“By close of tomorrow, (Tuesday), everyone must vacate. If you remain there, you do so at your own risk.

We will demolish every structure within and around the school premises,” he warned.

Nuisance

The Headmistress of the Tema Secondary School, Lucy Nai, confirmed that the school had repeatedly appealed to TDC for intervention due to the growing encroachment and environmental challenges.

“We wrote to TDC again after we saw a new platform being erected right behind the girls’ dormitory for containers.

This is not good for our students, especially the girls.

There’s also a section inside the school that has turned into a dumping site, but that waste comes from outside. People even jump over the wall to ease themselves in the compound,” Mrs Nai lamented.

She expressed gratitude to the TDC for responding to the school’s concerns, emphasising that the planned demolition exercise would greatly improve safety and sanitation within the school environment.

Concerns

One of the occupants of the school boundary lands, Iddi Hassan, who operates a home appliances and air conditioning business, defended their presence on the land.

He told the Daily Graphic that prior to their occupation, the land was a dumping site and a shortcut for students who scaled the wall to town. 

He alleged that based on discussions with the assemblyman and the Tema West Municipal Assembly, the residents agreed to reinforce the wall, adding that the assembly also allowed them to erect their containers.