Accra Illegal Billboards: Advertising Association Finds 40-60% Non-Compliant

• Between 40% and 60% of over 10,000 billboards in Accra are illegal, according to the Advertising Association of Ghana.
• The Advertising Association of Ghana independently funded an assessment that found violations of traffic and building regulations, structural integrity, and material quality.
• Andrew Ackah, President of the AAG, attributes the problem to inadequate regulatory oversight and enforcement by Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
• The Ghana Standards Authority has developed guidelines for billboard installation, but MMDA enforcement remains a major challenge.
• The AAG is urging MMDAs to strengthen monitoring and enforcement to prevent the continued proliferation of illegal advertising structures.

Between 40 and 60 percent of the more than 10,000 advertising structures identified across the capital are in violation of established regulations.

A recent assessment by the Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG) has revealed that a significant portion of billboards in Accra operate outside legal parameters. Andrew Ackah, President of the AAG, disclosed that between 40 and 60 percent of the more than 10,000 advertising structures identified across the capital are in violation of established regulations. This high rate of non-compliance underscores a substantial challenge within the city's outdoor advertising sector.

The AAG independently financed this comprehensive exercise to ascertain the extent of regulatory breaches. The methodology involved meticulously mapping all advertising structures throughout Accra and subsequently cross-referencing them with existing legal frameworks and technical guidelines governing their installation and operation. This detailed approach allowed the association to pinpoint specific areas of non-adherence.

The findings from the AAG's assessment highlighted various critical issues. These included widespread violations of both traffic and building regulations, raising concerns about public safety and urban planning. Furthermore, the report pointed to deficiencies in the structural integrity of some billboards and questioned the quality of materials utilized in their construction, indicating potential risks and a disregard for established Ghana Standards Authority billboard guidelines.

Mr. Ackah attributed the pervasive issue of Accra illegal billboards to insufficient regulatory oversight from Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs). These local government bodies are statutorily mandated to issue permits for outdoor advertising structures and ensure that operators adhere to the required standards and Ghana outdoor advertising regulations. However, the AAG's report suggests a significant lapse in this critical function.

Despite the Ghana Standards Authority having developed comprehensive guidelines for billboard installation in consultation with relevant industry stakeholders, their effective implementation and enforcement by the MMDAs remain a considerable hurdle. This disconnect between established guidelines and practical application creates an environment where non-compliant structures can proliferate, as highlighted by the Advertising Association of Ghana report.

Speaking in an interview on Accra-based Citi FM on Wednesday, November 4, Mr. Ackah emphasized that the current situation is unlikely to improve without a robust and consistent approach to monitoring and enforcement by the MMDAs. He urged these assemblies to meticulously ensure that all permits for outdoor advertising structures are issued strictly in accordance with existing laws and technical specifications, thereby strengthening Accra MMDA billboard enforcement.

The AAG President's statements serve as a stark warning regarding the potential consequences of continued regulatory inaction. He cautioned that a failure to address the existing gaps in oversight and enforcement could lead to the persistent proliferation of illegal billboard installations across the capital, further exacerbating the current challenges.

This situation presents a critical juncture for the outdoor advertising sector in Accra. The high reported rate of non-compliance and the explicit calls for stronger enforcement by MMDAs signal an impending period of increased regulatory scrutiny. This heightened focus could lead to more stringent permit reviews, potential legal challenges, and penalties for installations found to be non-compliant with established standards and regulations.

Lawyers advising clients in the outdoor advertising sector in Accra should proactively review the legality and compliance of existing billboard structures and permits. The current environment indicates a clear need for operators to ensure their installations meet all regulatory requirements to mitigate future risks and avoid potential enforcement actions.

Lawyers advising clients in the outdoor advertising sector in Accra should proactively review the legality and compliance of existing billboard structures and permits. The high reported rate of non-compliance and calls for stronger enforcement by MMDAs indicate increased regulatory scrutiny and potential future legal challenges or penalties for non-compliant installations.

Source: Original reporting via Myjoyonline.com