The Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG) has disclosed that over 60% of billboards in the country are unlawfully erected, with their ownership largely unknown.
This follows the increasing trend of billboards and signposts mounted at inappropriate locations, such as pedestrian walkways, highway medians, and intersections, posing potential hazards to the public.
Speaking to Citi News, the President of AAG, Andrews Ackah, expressed concern over the situation, noting that many billboard installations do not go through the proper legal channels.
He warned that failure to regulate these structures could lead to future disasters.
“Our investigation shows that most people do not comply with these and make it very difficult for anyone to monitor how these illicit billboards are in place. From our investigation, we can place on record that there are about 50-60% of the billboards that we do not know who owns them.
“This puts a question mark on the conscience of all of us. We strongly believe that the persons who, because of the illicit way of mounting billboards, do not go through the right procedure,” he stated.
Ackah also highlighted the widespread disorder in Accra, where billboards are haphazardly displayed, creating both a public nuisance and intense competition among advertisers.
“This is compounded by the political cycle. Anytime there is an election coming up, you see all these billboards spring up anywhere, and those who mount these billboards do so while utilising the political favour they may be getting from the party to mount these billboards anywhere. What is also witnessed is that they are also mounting these billboards on the medians of the roads,” he lamented.
