Tema: Ms Ebi Bright, the Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), has pledged to foster an inclusive and participatory style of leadership aimed at uniting all stakeholders in the development agenda of the metropolis. Ms Bright emphasised that political affiliation, ethnic background, or personal loyalties would not serve as barriers to participation nor hinder the growth and progress of the assembly, adding that every staff member, regardless of their background, has a critical role to play in achieving the collective vision for Tema.
According to Ghana News Agency, Ms Bright stressed the need for a cohesive and collaborative work environment, where competence, commitment, and integrity would be the guiding principles in the delivery of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly's (TMA) services. She made this known during a staff durbar organised by the TMA to formally welcome her as the first female MCE of the area. The durbar, which coincided with her birthday, served as a platform for staff to interact with the new MCE, share their concerns, and discuss the way forward for the development of the metropolis.
She pledged to work closely with all staff to promote development and improve service delivery, noting that the durbar was an important opportunity to understand the Assembly's internal workings and the staff's challenges. She emphasised her commitment to prioritising sanitation and waste management in the coming months and called on all departments to make their work more visible and efficient, announcing that she would ensure the timely provision of revenue and logistics to facilitate smoother operations for them to contribute to the city's repair and redevelopment.
Ms Bright commended the Urban Roads Department for their proactive approach, particularly in securing partnerships to improve upon the Tema Harbour Road, popularly known as Akosombo Road. She acknowledged that while the challenges faced by the department were multifaceted, they did not resort to a litany of excuses; instead, they identified specific interventions that could be undertaken in the short term, which would in turn enable complementary actions from other sectors.
She further stated that the assembly would be guided by principles of dignity, honour, and integrity, encouraging staff to reflect on their roles in enhancing revenue generation, curbing unnecessary expenditure, and ensuring value for money, while assuring them that their efforts would be recognised and appreciated, particularly when they contributed to resolving pressing challenges. She also raised concerns about the low remuneration of Internally Generated Fund (IGF) staff and the poor working conditions in some offices, where waste and disorganised archives undermined productivity, and underscored the need for a collective responsibility in finding sustainable solutions.
The MCE announced plans for another durbar, during which all departments would be expected to conduct a candid assessment of their current state, outline actionable strategies, and, if possible, celebrate notable achievements. Acknowledging that the path ahead would be fraught with challenges, she stressed the importance of forging strong partnerships and fulfilling roles with a shared sense of purpose and commitment.
Mr John Owu, the Tema Metropolitan Coordinating Director, urged staff to uphold the core values and characteristics of the civil service, emphasising the importance of neutrality, anonymity, and fidelity to duty, reminding them that as public servants, their role was to serve the assembly and the public with professionalism, regardless of changes in political leadership. He further encouraged the staff to be supportive and committed to the success of the newly appointed MCE, stressing that her effectiveness as a leader would reflect the collective efforts and discipline of the administrative workforce.
The programme was graced by Mr Kofi Atta Mills, son of the late President John Atta Mills, who shares the same birthday with the MCE.
