A group of concerned residents in Tema are calling on President John Dramani Mahama to consider appointing a native of Tema as the next Chief Executive Officer of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA).
Their call comes amid reports suggesting that Ebi Bright is being lobbied for the position, despite earlier indications pointing to Patience Ankamah Addo as a potential candidate.
The residents believe that an indigene would be better suited to understand and address the specific needs of the local communities.
Speaking at a press conference, Dora Sappor, a representative of the youth in Tema, made it clear that their request is not borne out of tribalism but rather a desire for deeper community representation.
“We are not against people from other regions holding top positions,” she clarified. “Our concern is that we want someone who truly understands the people and culture of Tema — someone who has lived their realities.”
She further explained that all 25 clan houses in Tema have expressed support for the idea, as they believe an indigene in such a key position would foster trust, cultural connection, and efficient governance.
“We want someone the people can identify with — a son or daughter of the land. That is all we are asking for. It’s not about being better than others, but about fair and appropriate representation,” she added.
The group appealed to Mr. Mahama to listen to the voice of the people and ensure the next mayor is someone who represents their heritage and is fully invested in the development of Tema.