Mr Andrew Ackah, President of the AAG, disclosed the findings at a press briefing on ongoing demolition and enforcement actions targeting outdoor advertising installations in Accra and Kumasi.
He said while the Association supported lawful efforts to sanitise the outdoor advertising space, the current exercise lacked clarity, structure and consistency.

Mr Ackah said the 2024 audit, conducted under the auspices of the National Road Safety Authority, found that most of the assessed structures failed to meet the engineering, safety and spacing requirements in the Advertising Specification for Outdoor Signs.
He said several billboards were poorly mounted, lacked structural integrity, obstructed traffic signals and road signs, impaired driver visibility and did not comply with minimum spacing requirements on major roads.

Mr Ackah said the situation persisted despite comprehensive regulatory guidelines developed by key public and professional bodies, including the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, the Ghana Institute of Surveyors, the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the Ghana Institute of Engineers, the Ghana Highway Authority and the AAG.
He said although the guidelines clearly defined structural and safety standards, as well as spacing based on driving speed, compliance remained low.

Mr Ackah said the problem extended beyond the Spintex corridor, affecting major routes in Accra and Kumasi.
He mentioned the 37 Military Interchange, the Kawukudi–Airport enclave, Liberation Road, the Tetteh Quarshie to Adenta stretch, and the KNUST Junction to Adum road in Kumasi as areas experiencing increasing congestion of billboards.

Mr Ackah said although enforcement was necessary, the recent demolitions appeared to have been carried out without adequate stakeholder engagement or a clearly defined implementation framework.
He said the industry had not been informed of the criteria for classifying structures as legal, illegal or dangerous, nor had timelines or procedures been published to enable compliance before removal.

Mr Ackah said the absence of a transparent process created uncertainty for operators, including those who had obtained the required permits and complied with regulations but risked losing their installations.

He stressed that due process must be observed to avoid operational and financial losses to legitimate businesses.
Mr Ackah called for a reset of the exercise through formal engagement between the Technical Working Committee and industry stakeholders, publication of a clear enforcement framework, a phased decongestion plan and transparent categorisation of affected structures.

He said the AAG had developed proposals to support reforms and stood ready to collaborate with the relevant authorities to promote a safer, well-regulated and aesthetically improved advertising environment.

Mr Ackah said the Association’s position was aimed at ensuring fairness, clarity and sustainability in the management of the country’s outdoor advertising space and pledged its commitment to dialogue and cooperation in support of public safety and planning standards.