The Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) is rolling out a digitisation programme to improve revenue mobilisation, accountability and service delivery across the metropolis.
The initiative forms part of five development priorities outlined by the Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Ms Ebi Bright, during an engagement with state-owned enterprises, government agencies and departments operating in Tema.
The engagement was aimed at strengthening collaboration among institutions with responsibilities in the metropolis and identifying areas where joint action could improve development outcomes.
Ms Bright said the assembly was working to create a digital database of properties and businesses in Tema to improve billing accuracy, identify unpaid obligations and ensure that residents and businesses contributed fairly to the development of the metropolis.
She said the TMA also planned to introduce a single payment point for its services, allowing payments to be made through banks or digital channels and transferred directly into the assembly’s accounts.
A one-stop service system would also be established to enable residents and businesses to submit, track and receive permits more efficiently, she said.
Ms Bright identified revenue enhancement, digitisation and process improvement, service delivery, human capital and culture change, and infrastructure and public space management as the assembly’s five key priorities.
She said these priorities were being pursued through three flagship programmes—revenue enhancement, Sanitation First and the Tema Facelift.
Under the Sanitation First programme, the assembly has provided skip containers at designated collection points, stocked sewer pipes for emergency repairs and commenced dredging of the Chemu Lagoon and Ozoko Stream.
The assembly also plans to introduce zone-based street sweeping, regulate informal waste collectors and explore a waste-to-energy pilot with private-sector partners.
Ms Bright said the measures were expected to reduce waste accumulation in drains and dumpsites, minimise flooding and health risks, and create opportunities for energy generation, employment and revenue.
She said mobile registration units were also being deployed to register businesses and provide one-stop assistance for permits and related enquiries.
On the Tema Facelift Campaign, the MCE said the assembly was working to protect public spaces and infrastructure by preventing the placement of kiosks and containers on road shoulders, roundabouts and reservations.
She said cleared areas would be restored for public use, stressing that the campaign was intended not only to improve the appearance of the city but also to protect government assets, infrastructure and the public purse.
Ms Bright further highlighted the need for stronger human capital and a change in institutional culture to build a more responsive and accountable assembly.
She said infrastructure and public space management would also remain a priority, particularly the development and maintenance of roads and drains and the provision of orderly and safe public spaces.
The MCE appealed to state-owned enterprises, government agencies and other institutions operating in Tema to support development initiatives through their corporate social responsibility programmes.
