Accra: Unauthorized Billboard Removal Set for November 14

• Accra billboard operators must identify their structures by November 13 or risk removal during a joint inspection.
• A comprehensive inspection is scheduled for November 14 to identify unauthorized and non-compliant outdoor advertising structures.
• The Ghana Standards Authority's GS-847:2019, Second Edition, will serve as the guiding standard for assessing billboard installations.
• An assessment by the Advertising Association of Ghana estimates that 40-60% of Accra's over 10,000 billboards are currently non-compliant.
• This enforcement action marks the beginning of a sustained program, with future plans to expand inspections beyond Accra.

Lawyers advising advertising companies, property owners, or businesses with outdoor advertising in Accra must immediately review their clients' billboard installations for compliance with the GS-847:2019 standard and local assembly permits.

Accra is set to commence a significant enforcement action against unauthorized outdoor advertising structures, with a critical deadline of November 13 for billboard operators to identify their installations. Any advertising structure in the capital that remains without clear ownership details, including company names, by this date risks being designated as unclaimed or potentially unauthorized, leading to its removal. This directive precedes a comprehensive joint inspection exercise scheduled for November 14, targeting billboard installations across selected locations within Accra.

The upcoming inspection, which will involve representatives from the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the Advertising Association of Ghana, and other regulatory bodies, aims to ascertain ownership, pinpoint structures erected without proper authorization, and identify those failing to meet essential safety and technical specifications. This concerted effort, announced in a joint statement on November 5, underscores a renewed commitment to bringing order and compliance to Accra's outdoor advertising landscape. Lawyers advising advertising companies, property owners, or businesses with outdoor advertising in Accra must immediately review their clients' billboard installations for compliance.

The enforcement initiative will be guided by the Ghana Standards Authority's (GSA) GS-847:2019, Second Edition, which outlines precise specifications for the mounting and installation of outdoor advertising structures. This standard provides the technical benchmark against which all billboards will be assessed during the November 14 operation. The Ministry has articulated that the primary objectives of this intervention are to enhance public safety, rigorously enforce existing Ghana outdoor advertising regulations, and establish greater order within the industry.

Compliance with local assembly permits is also a crucial aspect of this crackdown. For instance, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly's permit requirements mandate the submission of structural drawings endorsed by qualified professionals, proof of insurance coverage, and explicit written consent from property owners when installations are situated on private land. Failure to adhere to these detailed requirements, particularly the GS-847:2019 outdoor advertising standard, will result in structures being flagged for non-compliance and potential removal, creating significant compliance exposure for stakeholders.

The impetus for this stringent enforcement action stems from widespread concerns regarding the prevalence of billboards that contravene established requirements throughout Accra. Andrew Ackah, President of the Advertising Association of Ghana, revealed on November 4 that an assessment conducted by the association identified more than 10,000 billboards within the city. Alarmingly, between 40 and 60 percent of these installations are estimated to be either illegal or non-compliant with existing regulations.

The association's detailed mapping and comparison of these structures against applicable laws and technical guidelines uncovered various violations. These included breaches of traffic and building regulations, as well as significant concerns regarding the structural integrity and the materials utilized in numerous installations. These findings highlight the considerable regulatory challenge confronting authorities, particularly the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) responsible for issuing permits and overseeing outdoor advertising structures in Accra.

The November 14 inspection is not intended as a singular event but rather as the commencement of a sustained program of enforcement. The joint statement indicates that periodic inspections and ongoing enforcement measures will continue within Accra, with plans to extend this exercise to other parts of the country in collaboration with respective MMDAs and relevant stakeholders. This signals a long-term commitment to ensuring compliance across Ghana's outdoor advertising sector.

In light of these developments, the Ministry has strongly urged advertising companies, billboard owners, and property owners to adhere to the identification deadline and to fully cooperate with the inspection teams. This latest move aligns with broader government concerns regarding the impact of billboard congestion on urban planning and road safety, emphasizing the critical need for all parties to ensure their installations meet regulatory requirements to avoid the Accra unauthorized billboard removal.

Lawyers advising advertising companies, property owners, or businesses with outdoor advertising in Accra must immediately review their clients' billboard installations for compliance with the GS-847:2019 standard and local assembly permits. Failure to identify structures by November 13 or meet regulatory requirements will lead to removal, creating significant compliance exposure and potential disputes.

Source: Original reporting via Myjoyonline.com