Ashaiman: From humble hamlet to bustling municipality

WHAT began as a hamlet in the northern part of the Tema traditional area by Nii Ashai in the 17th century has today grown into a fully-fledged municipality, known for its businesses, flourishing markets, artisanal industry and huge dam for commercial farming.

To the point of fact, Ashaiman hosts some of the largest markets in the country. These are Adjei Kojo and the main markets, Tulaku livestock market, in addition to several others located in the municipality.

Interestingly, Ashaiman is often referred to as the “United States” of the world because some of its suburbs have been named after countries and cities around the globe, such as Lebanon, Middle East, Jerusalem, Washington, Jericho and New York.

The municipality, however, has other suburbs with names like Old Tulaku, Taabo Line, Fitter Line, Night Market, Valco Flats, Asensu, New Town, Official Town, Zongo, Zongo Laa-ka, Old Quarters, New Quarters and Sikafo-Amantem.

The name Ashaiman was derived from two Ga words: “Ashai”, the name of the person who founded the town, and “Mang”, meaning place or city, hence Ashai’s place or town.

History has it that although Nii Ashai was not the first person to settle on the land in present-day Ashaiman Municipality, his name became associated with it because of the strategic location of his hamlet at the time.

In fact, Nii Ashai was invited by his friend, Nii Atanya, to settle on the land. Nii Atanya was a fisherman from Tema who often came to farm in the area whenever the fishing season was over.

He built a village for himself there and named the area “Nmpo-Asei Village” (now known as Official Town). Later, he brought his children, namely Naa Merly, Nii Tetteh, Naa Morkor, Naa Maakai, Naa Maatso and Naa Maafoo, to stay with him.

Nii Ashai was a royal from the Naa Amorkortse Royal Family of Tema, who spent most of his lifetime in Koforidua and was also a friend of Nii Atanya.

It was said that one day, Nii Atanya met his friend, Nii Ashai, at the Tema fishing shore mending nets, and brought him to his village to show him his new settlement. Nii Ashai requested to live with him for a season to farm a portion of land.

Later, Nii Ashai became interested in farming after a good harvest and therefore requested to settle with Nii Atanya in the Nmpo-Asei Village. He came along with his only son, Nii Doku.

When they both became old, Nii Ashai asked that they should move to the main footpath so that traders who used the route could interact with them. However, Nii Atanya was said not to be interested, insisting that his friend could relocate near the footpath and promising to visit him regularly.

So, Nii Ashai moved and built his hamlet on the route where traders from other villages, such as Zeenu, Kuberkro, Adigon, Saasabi, Koforidua and the Akwapim ranges, passed through to the coast.

During those days, traders who used this route made Ashai’s hamlet a rest stop where they fetched water, changed their clothing or slept over, making it a popular place during their sojourn.

When Ghana gained independence, the country’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, embarked on an ambitious industrial drive. This, coupled with human resource and capital development, saw Ashaiman witness rapid population growth, mostly made up of able-bodied youth who travelled from the hinterlands in search of greener pastures in Tema.

These included skilled workers, labourers, technicians, draughtsmen and middle-class workers who were urgently needed for the construction of the Tema Harbour and township.

Most of these workers had problems with accommodation. Ashaiman, therefore, became a place to find accommodation because of its cheap and affordable prices.

Apart from these categories of workers, there were natives along the coast of Tema who were displaced by construction works and had to relocate to Ashaiman. This led to a ballooning population, making the housing industry boom as well.

In the early 1960s, Ashaiman witnessed massive population expansion as Nkrumah’s industrial hub grew, attracting thousands of workers to Tema. This resulted in an increase in crime rates, including armed robbery, the use of illicit drugs, prostitution and other petty crimes.

According to the 2021 census, Ashaiman Municipality had a population of 208,060 people, comprising tribes such as Ga-Adangbe, Ga, Guan, Fante, Dagomba, Ewe and Akan.

The Ashaiman Municipal Assembly (ASHMA) is the local authority in the area and was established on November 1, 2007.

It was inaugurated on February 29, 2008, under Legislative Instrument (LI) 1889 and Act 462. ASHMA was carved out of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly.

Currently, ASHMA has 27 assembly members comprising 17 elected members, eight government appointees, one Member of Parliament and the Municipal Chief Executive.

ASHMA also has an administrative structure that operates through seven zonal councils and 20 unit committees.

The municipality shares boundaries with the Kpone-Katamanso District to the north and east, the Tema Metropolitan Assembly to the south, and the Tema West, Adentan and La Nkwantanang assemblies to the west.

According to the Municipal Chief Executive, Freeman Tsekpo, the local authority has been engaged in massive infrastructure development in ASHMA since its establishment.

Mr Tsekpo, who had been in office for barely one and a half years, stated that he had undertaken numerous development projects. He explained that ASHMA was also dedicated to effective local governance, sustaining urban infrastructure and providing citizen-centred services.

– The MCE said the assembly under his watch was constructing a two-storey, 12-unit classroom block with ancillary facilities at Presbyterian Basic Schools and had provided two fabricated carbon steel waste bins at Presby Junction and Roman Down.

– The construction of a three-storey, multi-purpose maternity block complex, with the supply of medical equipment, at Community 22 Polyclinic. The construction of 0.6U drains along Community 22 Polyclinic Road.

– The provision of two fabricated carbon steel waste bins at Ashaiman Technical Vocational Institute (E Block), and the construction and mechanisation of one borehole with a solar panel and polytank stand at Community 22 Cluster of Schools.

– Construction of 0.6U drains along Yebodidi Street, 0.6U drains along Amarh Forson Street, 0.9U drains along Amponsah Street, 0.6U drains along Ardi-Nortey Street and 0.6m drains along Ibrahim Mensah Street.

– Construction of concrete U-shaped 0.6 drains along Mantey Street, 0.6U drains along Adom Seme Street, construction of 0.6U drains along Akwashong Street, rehabilitation of roads in the Lebanon area and construction of drains in Lebanon.

– Construction of 0.6m U-shaped drains along Jallo Street as part of the Main Market upgrading, 0.6m U-shaped drains along Baba Alhassan Avenue as part of the Main Market upgrading, and construction of 0.6m-diameter concrete U-shaped drains along Taboo Line.

– Construction and mechanisation of one borehole with a solar panel and polytank stand at Ashaiman Number 1 Cluster of Schools in the centre of the municipality, and construction and mechanisation of one borehole with a solar panel and polytank stand at “I Shall Return Toilet”.

– Construction of 0.6m U-shaped drains along Rocky Street near the Main Station, completion of a three-storey office complex at Official Town, and construction of 0.6m U-shaped drains along Naa Amanua Crescent, Fitter Line.

– Fabrication of two carbon steel waste bins at Sakasaka Park, two carbon steel waste bins at Ashaiman Senior High School, and one carbon steel waste bin at Tsui Bleoo Electoral Area.

– Construction of 0.6m-diameter concrete U-shaped drains along Kabutey Link, and construction and mechanisation of boreholes with solar panels and polytank stands at Nuru Mustafia School, Blessed Clementina Basic School and Weta Union Toilet.

– Rehabilitation works on Homowo Street at Middle East, rehabilitation and drainage works on roads in the Christian Village area, rehabilitation and drainage works on Afariwaa-Newtown roads, reshaping of Ibrahim Maidamo Street at Jericho and reshaping of Newtown Junction Road.

Read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.

Follow our WhatsApp Channel now! https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q