HISTORY OF TEMA
EARLY SETTLERS
It is believed that the people of Tema migrated from Israel due to series of tribal wars and oppressions together with other Ga tribes who settled at other places. The ancestors of Tema however, after travelling through North Africa along the Nile River to Ethiopia, Sudan, Mali, Guinea and Ile Ife in Nigeria, originally settled at a place called ‘Tebiano’ (currently
near the western part of the Tema Harbour) and later moved to an area near where the defunct meridian hotel is located around the 13th century, that is, 1358. This location was strategic as it was bounded by the Sakumo lagoon on one side and the Chemu lagoon on the other which the ancestors believed could protect them from external aggressions. RESETTLEMENT
In the early 1950’s, the colonial government planned to build a modern harbor complex at this original settlement, which meant that the indigenes were to be resettled at a new township to be constructed called Tema Manhean. Initially, the people refused to move because they were apprehensive of not getting protection from their gods again. Secondly, other reasons such as social, economic and political implications of the project were not clearly spelt out. However, in the name of development and modernization of the country, they eventually moved to the newly constructed town in 1959. OCCUPATION
The main occupation of the Tema people was fishing and farming. They cultivated vegetables and gourds. People came from different parts of the country to buy the gourds which were used for keeping all manner of treasures in times past. It was as a result of the cultivation of gourds that the people were called ‘tormanbii’ and the town ‘torman’ which means “people of the gourd town” and “gourd town” respectively. This was later corrupted to ‘Tema’ and it has been accepted. Some indigenes of Tema today engage in fishing as their means of livelihood. The farming aspect of their lives was curtailed with the construction of the harbor as their farm lands were destroyed. Some of the indigenes now work with some of the many industries and companies that are sited in Tema with some holding different key positions. FESTIVAL
The people of Tema celebrate two festivals in a year. The first, “kpelejoo” is celebrated between late march and the second week of April. This festival provides the opportunity for members of the community to air their views on the political, social and economic situations in the community. They freely criticize the leadership of the community for any wrong doings and praise them for their good actions. This is done through the composition of songs by the various kpelejoo groups. No one can be victimized for such criticisms. The second festival is the “Homowo” which is celebrated by the whole Ga community that stretches from Tema to Ga Mashie. It is celebrated in the month of August every year to remember a period of bumper harvest of foodstuffs after experiencing great famine. Homowo therefore, means “hooting at hunger”. DIVISIONS
The Several divisions that make up the Tema traditional area include Saasabi, Kubekro, Ashaiman, Sakumono, Adigon, Zenu, Adjei Kojo, Klangon and Adjeiman. Tema however, has two main quarters or divisions namely Ashaman and Awudum. All the chiefs of these divisions are members of the TEMA TRADITIONAL COUNCIL with Nii Adjei Kraku II, Tema Mantse as the president, except Ashaiman, Adjei Kojo, Zenu and Klangon that do not have substantive chiefs. Other members of the council are:
Nii Adjetey Agbo II – Tema Mankralo
Nuumo Ashiboye Kofi II – Tema Sakumo Wulomo
Nuumo Abo Dade Hamile II – Naayoo Wulomo
Nii Ash*tey Saasabi II – Saasabi Mantse
Nii Mensah Bossah II – Kubekro Mantse
Nii Adjei Tsuru I – Sakumono Mantse
Nii Tetteh Atanya II – Adigon Mantse
Nii Tetteh Tsuru Orkor III - Akwashongtse
Nii Adjierteh Afedi I – Ashamang Shipi
Nii Amarh Somponu II – Awudun Shipi
Nii Adjierteh Mator III – Ashamang Woleiatse
Nii Odametey II – Awudun Woleiatse
Nii Amarh Akitikpo II – Okyeame
The council is also composed of two coopted members in the persons of Mr. Seth Adjetey who is the coordinator of the Tema Stool and Mr. Adjiereteh who is the chairman of the finance and investment committee of the Tema Stool. TOURIST SITES
The traditional area can boast of tourist sites like the “shajo tso”, “asekrebedu” (meridian rock) and the centre of the world. The “shajo tso” represents the soul and spirit of the people of Tema and it is located at where the nonfunctional meridian hotel is sited. The asekrebedu has several stories around it such as eruption of water which goes up to the height of about 20ft from the rock. It can be found near the Ave Maria resort center in community 3.
