A pressure group calling itself the Concerned Youth of Tema in the Greater Accra Region has dismissed as false and misleading allegations circulating on social media against the Managing Director of Tema Development Corporation (TDC) Ghana Limited, Mr. Courage Makafui Nunekpeku, over the demolition of wooden structures at the Tema Children’s Park.

In a statement issued in response to a viral video, the group described claims that the demolition was unauthorised or politically motivated as “baseless propaganda” aimed at tarnishing the image of the TDC Managing Director.

According to the group, the Tema Children’s Park, a 6.18-acre public recreational facility, was established to promote social interaction, physical activity, and mental well-being, particularly for children and families in the harbour city.

They noted that the park also hosts Tema’s only public library, underscoring its importance to the community.

However, the Concerned Youth of Tema lamented that over the years, the facility had deteriorated significantly and become overrun by squatters and miscreants, with unauthorised wooden structures and shacks springing up across the park, undermining its original purpose.

The group rejected allegations made by a 72-year-old man in the circulating video, who claimed that Mr. Nunekpeku personally ordered the demolition of his home while allegedly sparing structures belonging to sympathisers of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

They stressed that there is no evidence to support these claims and described them as politically divisive and malicious.

They further dismissed suggestions that the TDC Managing Director acted without regard for the views of the Member of Parliament for Tema West, Mr James Enu, or the Tema West Municipal Assembly, insisting that relations among all stakeholders remain cordial.

The statement revealed that months prior to the demolition, Mr. Nunekpeku, together with community opinion leaders, toured the Children’s Park and jointly agreed that all unauthorised wooden structures should be removed as part of efforts to restore and preserve the park as a public recreational space.

Addressing claims that the elderly man involved is a supporter of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the group criticised individuals who, in their view, sought political capital from the situation rather than genuinely supporting the man’s welfare.

“If those claiming to care about the man truly meant well, they would have helped him secure decent accommodation instead of encouraging him to erect a wooden structure on public land,” the statement said.

The Concerned Youth of Tema also accused unnamed individuals of orchestrating a smear campaign against what they described as the “hardworking and energetic” Managing Director of TDC for selfish reasons.

They insisted that evidence available confirms that the demolished structures were illegal encroachments, not legitimate residential homes, and warned against attempts to exploit the situation for personal or political gain.

The group concluded by pledging its full support for Mr. Nunekpeku and TDC Ghana Limited in their efforts to protect public assets and redevelop community facilities for the collective benefit of Tema residents.