*Gov’t To Sanitize Accra’s Signage Space, Urges Advertisers To Go Digital - Ahmed Ibrahim*

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly, in collaboration with the Ghana Independent Advertisers Association, has begun removing unauthorized structures and signages in the capital as part of efforts to sanitize the city.

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, disclosed this when he appeared before Parliament’s Government Assurance Committee.

Hon. Ibrahim said a committee chaired by his deputy, Hon. Delasie, has been established to oversee the removal of illegal signages.  

“There’s a committee working on the unauthorized structures and signages established by my good self who are approaching those signages and taking away those things,” he said.

He noted that his deputy, a former member of the Ghana Independent Advertisers Association, was chosen because “he has the expertise” for the job.

The Minister said the AMA faced strong opposition from the Ghana Independent Advertisers Association when the exercise began.  

“The Ghana Independent Advertisers Association in fact they didn’t spare me at all... I was in the news all over that I’m weak. But I’m not weak,” he stated.

Hon. Ibrahim said with Parliament’s backing, the committee will continue the exercise because the indiscriminate mounting of billboards makes the city untidy.

The Minister urged advertising stakeholders to transition to digital platforms.  

“In this digital era I think we need to do diversification and our Ghana Independent Advertisers Association should go digital,” he said.

He added that the committee will soon meet stakeholders, including Parliament, to brief them on progress.  

“So we are doing something but I’ll let them come and meet you.

Report by  PKB