'Meridian Hotel Land Solely Belongs to Tema Traditional Council': Future MP Halts Construction
- The Tema Traditional Council has declared that the historic Meridian Hotel property belongs entirely to them
- Future MP dramatically halted ongoing construction, insisting that the council had not authorised the project
- It was alleged that TDC officials were involved in questionable dealings surrounding the sale of the iconic land
An alleged spokesperson for the Tema Traditional Council, Henry Oko Oninku, also known as Future MP, has warned the Tema Development Corporation (TDC) to stay off the land that once hosted Kwame Nkrumah’s historic Meridian Hotel in Tema.
Source: UGC
In a video sighted by YEN.com.gh, Future MP instructed masons working at the site to stop construction on the hotel project.
He later spoke on the phone with the supposed landowner, directing him to report to the office of the Tema Traditional Council for clarification since, according to him, the land belongs solely to the Council.
"It is not for anybody other than the Tema Traditional Council. I want to know who gave you the go-ahead to work on this land."
He further warned that if any work continued without authorisation, he would personally ensure that all structures erected on the land were dismantled.
The supposed landowner, after a brief exchange, seemingly conceded and instructed his workers to pause operations, saying, 'Stop working for now.'
A video of Future MP halting construction at the Meridian Hotel site has since gone viral on X (formerly Twitter). Watch the trending video below.
Nkrumah’s Meridian Hotel: haunting fall from grace
Once an epitome of luxury and innovation, the Meridian Hotel in Tema stood as a symbol of Ghana’s post-independence pride, built under Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s vision for a modern, globally connected Africa.
Strategically located on the Greenwich Meridian, the hotel’s name reflected its international appeal. It hosted elite travellers and dignitaries, making it one of the country's finest five-star establishments.
However, residents and commuters have raised safety concerns about the abandoned site, which has since become a haven for criminals who operate especially during the early hours and at night.
Source: UGC
In 2005, one of the most notorious incidents occurred when armed robbers, including the infamous Atta Ayi, attacked the Engen Filling Station near the old hotel.
Five of the robbers were killed in a gun battle with the Buffalo Unit of the Ghana Police Service.
Today, debate continues over what should become of the Meridian Hotel.
Some citizens are calling on the government to restore it as a national heritage site, while others believe private investors or local groups in Tema could transform it into a museum, cultural centre, or even a luxury resort once again.
Meridian Hotel, Sea View, other abandoned hotels
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported on the rising number of hotel sustainability challenges in Ghana, with building and maintaining hotels in the country remaining difficult due to complex regulations and high resource demands. It is therefore unsurprising that many hotels struggle to stay operational over time.
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The Meridian Hotel, built under Nkrumah’s leadership, once stood among Ghana’s most iconic landmarks. Sadly, it has been out of service since the 1990s, its structure now on the verge of collapse. Steel casings and iron rods pierce through its skeletal pillars, a painful reminder of neglect and lost national pride.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
