Davis Ansah Opoku, a former board member of Tema Development Company Limited (TDC) and beneficiary of state lands, has defended the sale of large tracts of land to individuals connected to former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta during Alice Abena Ofori-Atta’s tenure.
Speaking on Metro TV on April 11, 2025, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmaker, questioned whether Alice Abena Ofori-Atta—or any individual who acquired the land—should be disqualified from purchasing it, simply due to sharing a surname with the former Finance Minister.
He failed to recognize the conflict of interest that the former TDC MD, was involved in while arguing that simply having the name “Ofori-Atta” should not automatically suggest wrongdoing or impropriety in the transaction. He added that this individual is a Ghanaian and has the right to acquire land freely and legally.
He was responding to TDC’s disclosure that its preliminary investigations had uncovered the irregular sale of several parcels of land in Tema Community 24 to individuals linked to the Ofori-Atta family, including the biological brother of former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
The revelation follows an internal review across various departments within the company, which has triggered calls for an external investigation due to what the TDC describes as significant irregularities.
There are suggestions that some individuals may have exploited the presence of their relative, Alice Abena Ofori-Atta—who served as the MD—to acquire the properties. However, whether the requisite prices were paid for the land remains unclear.
Names cited in the alleged transactions include Eno Ofori-Atta, the former Deputy Managing Director of the state-owned Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) and wife of Earl Ofori-Atta—a brother of the former Finance Minister—alongside Dora Ofori-Atta, Nana Poku Ofori-Atta, Nana Kwame Ofori-Atta, Daniel Marfo Ofori-Atta, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, and Owusu Afriyie Prempeh. Several companies allegedly linked to these individuals have also been implicated.
Speaking at a press conference at the TDC office in Tema on Thursday, 10 April, the new MD, Courage Makafui Nunekpeku, stated that records available to the company suggest the sales occurred under the tenure of his predecessor, Alice Abena Ofori-Atta.
However, Mr Ansah Opoku queried: “The fact that somebody is called Ofori-Atta and purchases land at Tema Community 24 does not mean it’s related to Ken Ofori-Atta, and even if the person is related to him, so what? Is the person not a Ghanaian? Has the person been given a special price to pay?”
Mr Ansah Opoku, who is also the Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, stated that he sees nothing wrong with Ghanaians—including politically exposed persons—expressing interest in and acquiring prime lands, as long as the acquisitions are made legally and transparently.
He explained that the Tema Development Company, as a state institution, operates within its mandate, which includes developing property and selling land, among other responsibilities within the Tema Development Area.
“These are lands that are not being bought for GH¢5,000 or GH¢10,000. In fact, these are lands being sold for between $40,000 and $60,000. So, if you’re selling these serviced plots and you’ve advertised them, and a family says they want to come and buy a portion to develop for their kids—what is wrong with that?”
The lawmaker, who also serves as Vice Chair of the Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC), expressed concern over the conduct of some newly appointed heads of state institutions.
He criticised what he described as deliberate attempts to portray the previous NPP administration in a negative light by suggesting it was involved in acts of wrongdoing.
“There’s this competition among CEOs of state institutions to unearth some wrongs in the previous administration. You see them holding press conferences, trying to create an impression that there’s been some state capture,” he said.
Using himself as an example, Mr Ansah Opoku said he also owns a piece of land in Tema, which he claims to have acquired legally.
He condemned what he called some Ghanaians’ tendency to unjustly criticise and “bastardise” the name Ofori-Atta, questioning whether individuals bearing the name are not Ghanaians who equally deserve the right to own property legally and without prejudice.
“I have land in Community 24, and I bought the land with my money. I have documents to the land, and I’m not too sure anybody can say I wrongly acquired that property. If TDC is mandated to sell land, and they are selling it, and someone goes to buy—what is wrong with that? Unless we are being told that if you are called Ofori-Atta in this country, you are not supposed to enjoy anything Ghana.”
His comments come in response to recent disclosures by the TDC MD, Courage Makafui Nunekpeku, who stated that an internal review of the company’s operations uncovered the sale of large tracts of land to individuals allegedly connected to Ken Ofori-Atta during Alice Abena Ofori-Atta’s tenure.
The disclosure has raised concerns over the transparency and fairness of land distribution during the former finance minister’s tenure.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, 10 April 2025, Mr Nunekpeku explained that these lands were sold under questionable circumstances, sparking the need for further investigations to ensure accountability and avoid any misuse of power.
He stressed that the discovery of these transactions was part of efforts to expose irregularities within the system.
“Every 10 plots here belong to Ofori-Atta. Yes, every 10 plots. And why? Is that the only family we have in Ghana? These are facts. Nobody can change it. They can come and challenge me, and I’ll meet them anywhere—in court—with records, with documents.”
Mr Nunekpeku, further emphasised the extent of the land deals, stating that companies linked to the former Finance Minister had been allocated vast amounts of land, ranging from 4 to 30 acres.
He stressed that the call for investigations was rooted in documented evidence, not conjecture.
He revealed that some companies were allocated as much as 25 acres of land, while others received between 2 and 10 acres of prime commercial plots.
He added that other areas under TDC’s control were also under scrutiny, as there were signs of similar irregularities.
“A land audit will be conducted to ensure accountability,” he said. “Nothing will stop the investigations we’re going to do. The only thing that can stop it will probably be the sector minister or the President. Apart from that, nothing is going to stop it.”
He further questioned the concentration of land ownership within one family:
“You cannot be the managing director presiding over the sale of land and properties to this extent, and you expect not to be called to account. In every ten plots in layer T of the categorised land, two or three belong to an Ofori-Atta. I mean, why? Is that the only family we have in Ghana?”
Earlier, TDC management wrote to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), requesting an investigation into the previous management’s alleged procurement breaches and financial malfeasance.
Among the concerns raised is a $1 million IT solution the company allegedly paid for but never received.
Mr Nunekpeku, disclosed this during his maiden engagement with staff last Friday, stating:
“We are looking into some IT contracts that were awarded. We cannot pay $1 million and not have access to that document or software. So EOCO will intervene to see what went wrong.”
He added, “In addition, I have written another letter to EOCO concerning another issue. I won’t disclose that for now. They will also come in and investigate. We will be embarking on several investigations into land issues.”
Addressing the staff durbar, the MD said an audit conducted upon his assumption of office revealed that all of TDC’s lands—including reserved and union lands—had been sold, sometimes to non-existent companies and often without due process.
He said these findings necessitated EOCO’s intervention to probe the company’s operations and accounts. He urged management and staff to support his efforts to “reset” the company and reposition TDC Ghana to fulfil its original mandate.
He also outlined development plans, including expanding the Site 3 infilling project in Tema Community One and transforming the long-abandoned TDC Clubhouse into a modern hotel and recreational centre.
“A meeting has already been held with engineers, architects, and quantity surveyors. Architectural drawings are ready, and we aim to redevelop the clubhouse into a hotel to serve as an income-generating venture for the company,” he revealed.
He further announced that work would resume on all suspended 100-flat blocks at the Kpone Affordable Housing site, with the project expected to provide an additional 132 homes.
According to him, several investors have expressed interest in supporting the housing project. Management will engage with the union to explore partnership options for high-rise developments to meet the increasing demand for accommodation.
Established in 1952 by an Act of Parliament, the Tema Development Corporation (as it was then known) was mandated to plan and develop approximately 63 square miles of public land and manage the township created to house the public and workers engaged in economic activities. TDC was granted a 125-year lease to manage this area, known as the Tema Acquisition Area.
In 2017, TDC Ghana Ltd was converted into a limited liability company and given an expanded mandate to operate beyond the Tema Acquisition Area.