Gov’t considers restricting billboard installations to electronic displays

The Minister for Local Government, Mahama Ayariga, has revealed that the government is contemplating a policy to restrict billboard installations in certain areas to electronic displays, aiming to alleviate roadside clutter and enhance motorists' visibility. This proposal is primarily targeted at reducing conventional billboards around roundabouts and road junctions, where concerns about road safety have arisen.

During a discussion on Accra-based Citi FM, Ayariga highlighted that the increasing concentration of billboards in these locations was hindering drivers' ability to see approaching vehicles and navigate safely. He elaborated that electronic billboards could enable advertising companies to display multiple ads on a single structure, thereby decreasing the necessity for numerous physical billboards in the same area.

The Minister made it clear that his concerns were not limited to unauthorized advertising structures but also extended to billboards with valid permits that were still contributing to congestion and visibility issues. According to Ayariga, the government is actively working towards a conclusion that would permit only electronic billboards in specific areas, with the goal of minimizing the number of billboards obstructing roundabouts and junctions.

The Ministry is prepared to engage the Advertisers Association of Ghana to discuss the proposed policy and explore recommendations for reorganizing billboard installations nationwide. Ayariga expressed optimism about addressing these issues before the government's 70th-anniversary celebration in March 2027, emphasizing that these discussions would be part of broader efforts to regulate outdoor advertising and ensure billboard installations do not compromise road safety and visibility.