All unauthorised billboards in Accra to be removed on November 14

Accra's billboard operators are required to submit their names and company details on their structures by November 13 or face removal, as part of a government crackdown on unauthorized outdoor advertising. The move, announced on November 5, precedes a joint inspection on November 14, which will involve officials from the Ministry of Local Government, the Advertising Association of Ghana, and other regulatory bodies.

They will examine billboard installations at selected locations, checking ownership, identifying unauthorized structures, and flagging those that do not meet safety and technical requirements. The inspection teams will include representatives from Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, the Ghana Standards Authority, and other stakeholders.

Media representatives are expected to accompany the teams. The inspection will follow guidelines from the Ghana Standards Authority's GS-847:2019, Second Edition, which sets out specifications for outdoor advertising structures. The operation aims to enhance public safety, enforce regulations, and improve order in the outdoor advertising industry.

Over 10,000 billboards have been identified in Accra, with between 40 to 60 percent estimated to be illegal or non-compliant, according to the Advertising Association of Ghana. The Accra Metropolitan Assembly's permit requirements include structural drawings endorsed by professionals, insurance evidence, and property owner consent.

The November 14 inspection is the start of a sustained program, with periodic inspections and enforcement measures expected in Accra before expanding to other parts of the country. The government is also considering restricting conventional billboard installations near roundabouts and road junctions to improve visibility and road safety.