Ghana’s outdoor advertising sector faces a regulatory reckoning as the Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG) reveals that more than 60% of billboards nationwide have been unlawfully mounted. The surge in unauthorized structures has raised concerns over public safety, urban planning, and lost government revenue.
Mr. Andrews Ackah, President of the Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG) has said that more than 60% of billboards across the country are unlawfully erected, with the owners of many of these structures remaining unknown.
More than 60% of billboards across Ghana have been unlawfully erected, with many of their owners remaining unidentified, President of the Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG), Mr. Andrews Ackah has indicated.
Mr. Ackah described the situation as a growing menace, warning that the unchecked proliferation of unauthorized billboards is not only cluttering public spaces but also endangering pedestrians and motorists.
He expressed deep concern over the weak enforcement of billboard regulations, stating that many of these structures bypass legal approval processes, making it nearly impossible to monitor or manage them effectively. This, he stressed, has led to haphazard installations that compromise urban planning and safety standards.
With the rising number of billboards competing for space, Mr. Ackah called for urgent reforms and stricter enforcement to restore order to Ghana’s advertising landscape.
“Our investigation shows that most people do not comply with the regulations, making it very difficult for anyone to monitor how these illicit billboards are in place”, he said.
“We can place on record that there are about 50-60% of the billboards for which we do not know the owners,” he added.
Mr. Ackah emphasized that the unregulated placement of billboards on pedestrian walkways, highway medians, and intersections is a public safety hazard.
He warned that if authorities fail to regulate these structures, they could lead to potential disasters.
The situation has also contributed to visual disorder, particularly in Accra, where billboards are haphazardly displayed.
Mr. Ackah attributed part of the problem to the political climate, noting that during election seasons, the number of billboards increases dramatically as parties and their supporters exploit political connections to mount unauthorized advertisements.
“This is compounded by the political cycle. Anytime there is an election coming up, you see all these billboards spring up anywhere, and those who mount them do so while utilizing the political favor they may be getting from the party,” he explained.
The President of AAG called on the government, municipal assemblies, and relevant stakeholders to strengthen regulations and enforce existing laws to control the proliferation of unauthorized billboards.
Mr. Ackah stressed the need for stricter monitoring and collaboration between regulatory bodies to curb the growing trend.
“Without stricter enforcement, the unregulated billboard culture may continue to thrive, posing safety hazards, undermining urban planning efforts, and creating unfair competition in the advertising industry”, he bemoaned,
