The Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC) has clarified that the ongoing regulation and standardisation of billboards in the Greater Accra Region is a national exercise and not an initiative of the Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo.
The clarification follows concerns raised by the Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG) on February 13, 2026, over the demolition of billboards in parts of the region.
The association called on President John Dramani Mahama and the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to intervene and restore order.
The AAG cited what it described as a lack of direct engagement with key industry stakeholders, particularly outdoor advertising operators, before the commencement of the demolitions. It also expressed concern over the absence of a clearly communicated framework outlining phased implementation plans, timelines, compliance requirements, and enforcement standards.
Additionally, the AAG pointed to perceived irregularities and alleged selective enforcement, suggesting that some actions may have been influenced by political interests or individuals within government with vested interests in segments of the advertising industry.
However, GARCC has firmly rejected claims that the Regional Minister sanctioned or directed any selective removal of billboards or outdoor signage.
According to the Council, the exercise is being undertaken under the mandate of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs through a Technical Committee on the Regulation and Standardization of Outdoor Signage. It stressed that the process is a nationwide institutional reform effort rather than a regional directive.
The Council explained that Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are legally empowered to regulate signage within their jurisdictions.
This includes issuing notices of non-compliance and removing structures that fail to meet safety or permitting requirements.
Such enforcement actions, it noted, are guided primarily by public safety considerations, especially where billboards pose risks to motorists, pedestrians, or public infrastructure.
“Assigning responsibility to the Regional Minister misrepresents the governance structure and risks undermining public understanding of how regulatory processes are implemented,” the statement emphasised.
Call Linda Ocloo to order over selective billboard demolitions – AAG to Mahama
