Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, issued a stern warning to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) on Sunday, 15 November 2026, that they would be held accountable for illegal billboards and advertising signs within their jurisdictions.
The statement was made during a joint billboard inspection and enforcement exercise organised by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA) in partnership with the Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG) in Accra. She stressed that no advertiser may erect a billboard or sign without first obtaining the necessary permit from the relevant assembly.
“As the MMDCEs have spoken, we are looking forward that, from today onwards, they will take charge of their various jurisdictions. As we have started, we want them to take full charge so that, wherever they see any illegal billboards or advertising signs, they will take the necessary action,” she said.
Madam Sowah cautioned against landowners independently authorising advertisers to erect billboards, emphasising that only the relevant assemblies had the authority to issue permits. She urged advertisers to voluntarily remove unauthorised structures to avoid forced dismantling and additional costs, warning that assemblies would surcharge those who did not comply.
Inspections were conducted along selected roads and at locations in Accra with high concentrations of billboards. Structures found to be in breach of applicable standards and regulatory requirements have been earmarked for removal in accordance with established procedures.
The initiative aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s reset agenda to make Ghana cleaner and more orderly ahead of its 70th Independence Anniversary, with a particular focus on strict compliance with regulations on billboard placement, including prescribed distances between structures.
