The Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly, La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly, the Ministry, and the Advertising Association of Ghana have teamed up to enforce advertising regulations. The goal is to ensure all outdoor advertising structures have necessary permits. This move aims to sanitize Accra's advertising landscape. The exercise involves removing billboards and signs without permits. Authorities stress that assemblies are the only bodies mandated to issue permits for such structures.
Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, expressed support for the operation. She urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives to take decisive action against unauthorized advertising structures. According to her, no individual or company can erect a billboard without obtaining authorization from the relevant assembly. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah disclosed that several billboards have already been removed as part of the ongoing exercise.
The operation covers all categories of outdoor advertising structures, regardless of size. Any billboard or advertising sign found without a permit will be dismantled. The Advertising Association of Ghana supports the exercise, calling it a necessary step towards ensuring professionalism and compliance within the industry. However, representatives acknowledged the challenges involved in removing some structures, particularly those firmly fixed in place.
The Deputy Minister has urged advertisers to voluntarily dismantle their unauthorized billboards and advertising signs to avoid additional costs. Assemblies will remove structures that remain in place and surcharge their owners for the cost of dismantling them. This move is part of the government's broader efforts to sanitize the country's urban environment, in line with President John Dramani Mahama's Reset Agenda.
The exercise has the full support of Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, who emphasized that it is a collective responsibility. She clarified that the assemblies are the only authorities mandated to issue permits for outdoor advertising structures. The Deputy Minister's backing gives Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives the green light to lead the operation within their respective jurisdictions.
The Advertising Association of Ghana has expressed confidence that collaboration with the Ghana Highway Authority, Urban Roads, and the Ministry will ensure the success of the operation. Advertisers have been warned to comply with regulations to avoid costs associated with removing unauthorized structures. The message to advertisers is clear: no permit, no billboard.
The ongoing exercise is expected to continue within the respective jurisdictions of the assemblies. Enforcement aims to maintain a sanitized urban environment. Key stakeholders are working together to ensure compliance with advertising regulations. The Accra Metropolitan, Korle Klottey Municipal, and La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assemblies are spearheading the effort.
Key points
- The Accra Metropolitan Assembly and other MMDAs are working together to enforce advertising regulations.
- Deputy Minister Rita Naa Odoley Sowah supports the operation and urges assemblies to take action.
- Advertisers are warned to comply with regulations to avoid costs associated with removing unauthorized structures.
