Billboard operators in Accra have until November 13 to display their names and company details on their advertising structures or risk having the installations marked for removal as part of a government crackdown on unauthorised outdoor advertising.
The directive comes ahead of a joint inspection exercise scheduled for November 14, involving officials from the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the Advertising Association of Ghana and other regulatory bodies.
The exercise is expected to identify billboard owners, determine which structures lack the necessary authorisation and assess installations that may be in breach of established safety and technical standards.
Under a joint statement issued on November 5, billboards that remain unidentified after the deadline will be classified as unclaimed or potentially unauthorised and may be earmarked for removal.
The inspection teams will include representatives from the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) and other relevant stakeholders. Media representatives are also expected to accompany the teams.
The exercise will be conducted in accordance with the GSA’s GS-847:2019, Second Edition, which outlines specifications for the mounting and installation of outdoor advertising structures.
The Ministry said the intervention was intended to improve public safety, strengthen regulatory enforcement and bring greater order to the outdoor advertising industry.
Over 10,000 billboards identified in Accra
The planned operation follows concerns over the widespread presence of billboards that allegedly violate existing regulations in the capital.
President of the Advertising Association of Ghana, Andrew Ackah, disclosed on November 4 that an assessment conducted by the association had identified more than 10,000 billboards in Accra.
He estimated that between 40 and 60 per cent of the structures were illegal or non-compliant.
Mr Ackah said the association had mapped the billboards and assessed them against applicable laws and technical guidelines, identifying violations involving traffic and building regulations, as well as concerns about structural integrity and the materials used in some installations.
The findings highlight the scale of the regulatory challenge facing authorities, particularly the assemblies responsible for issuing permits and monitoring outdoor advertising structures.
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly’s permit requirements include structural drawings endorsed by qualified professionals, evidence of insurance cover and written consent from property owners where billboards are to be installed on private land.
Crackdown to extend beyond Accra
The November 14 inspection is expected to mark the beginning of a sustained enforcement programme rather than a one-off operation.
According to the joint statement, periodic inspections and enforcement measures will continue in Accra before the exercise is extended to other parts of the country in collaboration with the respective MMDAs and relevant stakeholders.
The Ministry has urged advertising companies, billboard operators and property owners to comply with the identification deadline and cooperate with the inspection teams.
The public and the media have also been encouraged to support the initiative.
The latest directive comes amid broader government concerns about the impact of billboard congestion on urban planning and road safety.
Local Government Minister Mahama Ayariga has separately disclosed that the government is considering restricting conventional billboard installations at certain locations, particularly around roundabouts and road junctions, in favour of electronic displays.
He has argued that the concentration of advertising structures at such locations can obstruct motorists’ views of approaching vehicles and create hazards for road users.
The authorities say the broader objective is to ensure that outdoor advertising structures are properly located, safely installed and operated in accordance with Ghana’s regulatory requirements.
