Accra, Ghana – More than 60 percent of billboards across Ghana have been erected without proper authorization, with many owners untraceable, according to Mr. Andrews Ackah, President of the Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG). The proliferation of illegal advertising structures, he warns, is creating both a public safety hazard and an urban planning nightmare.
In an interview with Accra Street Journal, Mr. Ackah described the situation as a “growing menace” that threatens pedestrians, motorists, and the overall aesthetics of Ghanaian cities. “Our investigation shows that most people do not comply with the regulations, making it very difficult for anyone to monitor these billboards effectively,” he noted.
The AAG president highlighted that a large portion of billboards are mounted on pedestrian walkways, highway medians, and busy intersections, significantly increasing the risk of accidents. “We can place on record that there are about 50-60% of the billboards for which we do not know the owners,” Mr. Ackah added, emphasizing that the lack of traceable ownership complicates enforcement and regulation.
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According to Mr. Ackah, weak oversight and selective enforcement have contributed to the unchecked growth of unregulated advertising. The challenge is compounded during election seasons, when political actors and their supporters exploit connections to install billboards without permits. “Anytime there is an election coming up, you see these billboards spring up anywhere, often leveraging political favor,” he explained.
The visual clutter is most pronounced in Accra, where streetscapes have become overcrowded with competing advertisements. Beyond aesthetics, Mr. Ackah warned that the unregulated expansion of billboards poses serious safety and liability concerns for local authorities and urban planners.
To address the crisis, the AAG president called for stronger enforcement mechanisms, closer collaboration between regulatory bodies, and the swift identification of billboard owners. “Without stricter enforcement, the unregulated billboard culture may continue to thrive, posing safety hazards, undermining urban planning, and creating unfair competition in the advertising industry,” he stressed.
As Ghana’s cities continue to grow, the challenge of regulating outdoor advertising underscores a larger need for accountability, compliance, and sustainable urban management. According to AAG, unless government agencies and municipal assemblies take immediate action, the proliferation of illegal billboards will remain both a safety risk and a barrier to orderly city planning.
Source: The High Street Business
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