The government is considering a new policy that would restrict billboard installations to electronic displays as part of efforts to tackle roadside clutter and improve road safety nationwide.
Minister for Local Government Hon. Mahama Ayariga said the proposal aims to reduce the growing number of conventional billboards around roundabouts and road junctions, where they often obstruct motorists’ views.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday, November 4, Hon. Ayariga said the Ministry was working towards concluding the policy, which would make electronic billboards the preferred option for outdoor advertising.
He explained that a single electronic billboard could accommodate advertisements from several companies, eliminating the need for multiple structures competing for space at the same location.
“We are in the process of coming to a conclusion that you can only put out electronic billboards,” he said.
The minister expressed concern that billboards around intersections were making it difficult for drivers to see approaching vehicles, sometimes forcing them to move dangerously close to the main road before getting a clear view.
He maintained that the government was determined to clear unnecessary structures, regardless of whether they had been legally authorised.
“For me, it’s not an issue. The issue is that those billboards should not be there,” he stressed.
The Minister said discussions were underway with the Advertisers Association to ensure cooperation in implementing the proposed changes.
He added that the government wants to achieve a cleaner cityscape by March 2027, when Ghana marks its 70th anniversary of independence, with the aim of eliminating unnecessary billboards from major roads and urban spaces.
This comes after the Advertising Association of Ghana raised concerns over the growing number of illegal billboards in Accra. The Association disclosed that between 40 and 60 per cent of the more than 10,000 advertising structures identified across the capital do not comply with the required regulations
