The Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG) has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama and the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to urgently intervene in what it describes as a disorderly and opaque demolition exercise targeting billboards across the Greater Accra Region.

In a statement issued on Friday, February 13, the umbrella body for Ghana’s advertising industry said while it supports regulatory efforts to clean up the outdoor advertising space, it is deeply troubled by the manner in which the current enforcement campaign is being executed.

The AAG acknowledged the need to sanitise the outdoor advertising landscape, improve road safety, and restore visual order to Ghana’s urban environment.

Billboard proliferation in Accra has long been a subject of public debate, with concerns ranging from structural safety and obstruction of sightlines to revenue leakages and regulatory fragmentation among metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs).

However, the association stressed that enforcement must be transparent, predictable and rooted in clear regulatory guidelines.

According to the AAG, the demolition exercise began without adequate consultation with key industry stakeholders — particularly licensed outdoor advertising operators who own and manage static and digital billboard installations across the capital.

The association cited a lack of structured engagement prior to the commencement of the demolitions, raising concerns that critical actors were not given sufficient opportunity to regularise installations, review compliance status, or respond to alleged infractions.

A major concern highlighted in the statement is what the association describes as the absence of a publicly communicated roadmap guiding the exercise.

The AAG pointed to the lack of clarity regarding phased implementation plans, timelines, compliance benchmarks and enforcement standards. It argued that without a defined framework, operators are unable to determine whether demolitions are based on objective regulatory breaches or discretionary decisions.

Outdoor advertising in Ghana is governed by a mix of local assembly by-laws, building codes and national urban planning regulations. Industry estimates suggest the sector contributes tens of millions of cedis annually in permit fees, taxes and employment, directly supporting thousands of workers, including designers, engineers, fabricators, electricians, installers, printers and maintenance crews.

The AAG warned that unpredictable enforcement actions risk destabilising this ecosystem.

Concerns Over Selective Enforcement

The association also raised concerns about perceived irregularities in the demolition process.

It suggested that enforcement actions may appear selective and could be influenced by political considerations or recommendations from individuals within government who may have vested interests in segments of the advertising market.

While the statement did not name specific actors or cite documented cases, it cautioned that any perception of bias or selective targeting could undermine public confidence in regulatory institutions and distort fair competition within the industry.

Industry analysts note that the outdoor advertising space in Greater Accra has grown rapidly over the past decade, driven by increased corporate marketing expenditure, election-season advertising, and the rise of digital LED billboards. However, the regulatory framework has not always kept pace with expansion, leading to disputes over siting approvals and compliance.

Beyond regulatory concerns, the AAG emphasised the broader economic implications of abrupt demolitions.

Billboard structures represent significant capital investments.

A single large-format steel billboard can cost between GH¢150,000 and GH¢500,000 to construct, depending on size and technology, while digital LED installations may exceed GH¢1 million.

Many operators finance these structures through bank loans or long-term commercial agreements.

The association warned that inconsistent enforcement could deter domestic and foreign investment in Ghana’s creative and advertising industries at a time when the country is seeking to strengthen private sector confidence.

Thousands of direct and indirect jobs, the AAG said, could be affected if the exercise continues without structured consultation and phased compliance measures.

Call for Institutional Reset

Calling for what it described as an urgent reset in governance approach, the AAG appealed directly to the President and the sector ministry to restore order and ensure regulatory integrity.

“There is a need for Institutional Reset and Proper Governance. The AAG is respectfully calling on His Excellency John Mahama and the Hon. Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to intervene and call the Committee and the Greater Accra Regional Minister to order,” the statement added.

The association urged authorities to clearly define the mandate of any committee overseeing the exercise, establish transparent engagement mechanisms with stakeholders, and implement a structured, fair and phased demolition strategy grounded in due process.