The Ghanaian government has started demolishing billboards across the country that do not comply with regulations. Billboard owners who missed the Friday, 13 November deadline to label their structures with company details now face demolition. The nationwide safety crackdown began on Saturday, 14 November, as announced by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
The Ministry announced the exercise in a press release on 13 November 2026, confirming that inspections and demolitions would proceed as planned. The operation is being carried out in collaboration with the Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG) and other relevant institutions. Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, is leading the drive.
Billboard owners and outdoor advertising firms were required to identify their structures by clearly displaying their names and company details before the Friday deadline. The Ministry said this labelling requirement was meant to make it easier for inspectors to trace ownership of each billboard. The nationwide checks aim to improve public safety and strengthen compliance with regulations governing outdoor advertising.
The Ministry described the operation as intended to improve public safety and create a more orderly environment for billboard advertising nationwide. The goal is to safeguard the public and ensure compliance with regulations. The Ministry has appealed to billboard owners, advertising companies and members of the public to cooperate with inspectors as the exercise is carried out.
The press release did not specify the standards beyond the labelling requirement, nor did it name the specific regulations billboards must meet. This leaves open the question of exactly which technical or structural criteria inspectors will be checking for. The Ministry stated that any billboard found to be in breach of the required standards and regulatory provisions will be pulled down.
The nationwide enforcement exercise was first flagged to the public on 5 November before being confirmed for the Saturday start date. MyJoyOnline reports that the operation is being carried out in collaboration with relevant institutions. The Minister, Mahama Ayariga, is leading the drive to ensure compliance with regulations.
The government urges cooperation from billboard owners, advertising companies and the public during the exercise. The operation aims to create a safer environment for the public and promote orderly billboard advertising.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government has started demolishing non-compliant billboards nationwide.
- Billboard owners were required to display company details by 13 November.
- The exercise aims to improve public safety and strengthen compliance with regulations.
