Government to Sanction Assemblies Over Illegal Billboards – Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah

Edited by: Solomon Kwabena Nana-Ansah – Paaps –

The Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, has announced that Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) that fail to enforce billboard regulations will face financial sanctions, as government intensifies a nationwide crackdown on illegal outdoor advertising structures.

The directive places direct responsibility on local authorities to ensure compliance within their jurisdictions or risk being surcharged. The move forms part of broader efforts to restore order, improve urban aesthetics, and enhance public safety, particularly in Accra, where the proliferation of unregulated billboards has significantly altered the cityscape.

Speaking during an inspection tour of major streets in the capital, Hon. Sowah reaffirmed government’s commitment to enforcing existing laws governing outdoor advertising. She emphasised that assemblies have a clear statutory mandate to regulate and monitor signage and must be held accountable for lapses in enforcement.

She cautioned that any assembly found negligent in carrying out its duties will be surcharged, signalling what she described as a new era of accountability in local governance.

According to the Ministry, the uncontrolled spread of illegal billboards has contributed to visual clutter, obstructed road signage, and posed safety risks to both motorists and pedestrians.

The enforcement exercise is being coordinated through a multi-sectoral technical committee tasked with sanitising the outdoor advertising space and ensuring strict adherence to planning regulations and safety standards.

Government has also issued firm directives for the removal of all unauthorised structures within stipulated timelines, reinforcing its zero-tolerance stance on non-compliance.

Meanwhile, stakeholders within the advertising industry, including the Advertising Association of Ghana, have expressed support for the initiative, while calling for structured engagement and clarity in its implementation.

Industry assessments indicate widespread non-compliance, with excessive and poorly positioned billboards obstructing visibility, violating spacing requirements, and undermining urban planning standards.

Government maintains that the exercise is not solely about enforcement but also about creating safer, more organised, and aesthetically appealing urban environments that reflect Ghana’s development aspirations.

The Ministry has therefore urged all assemblies to act swiftly, enforce regulations diligently, and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure full compliance.