Removal of illegal billboards not politically motivated – AAG

The Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG) has dismissed suggestions that the ongoing crackdown on illegal billboards and advertising structures is politically motivated, insisting that the exercise is driven by the national interest.

The Chairman of the AAG’s Outdoor Committee, Mukaila Ahmed Akuamoah, said the association’s partnership with the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs was aimed at promoting a cleaner and more orderly city, irrespective of political affiliations.

“Once we’re here, it’s not about being political from any other party. It’s about Ghana, it’s about you, it’s about me, it’s about making things happen,” he said.

He was speaking during a joint billboard inspection and enforcement exercise organised by the Ministry in collaboration with the AAG in Accra.

Mr Akuamoah said the partnership would strengthen efforts to identify and remove unauthorised advertising structures, some of which, he noted, had created environmental and drainage challenges.

He expressed concern about the indiscriminate erection of billboards by both members and non-members of the association.

“Some of them have mounted boards indiscriminately all over the place, and it doesn’t go down well with us. Some of them are causing drains and headaches all over the place,” he lamented.

The exercise follows a deadline given to billboard owners and advertising companies to clearly display their names and company details on their respective structures to facilitate identification and regulatory enforcement.