Churches, Others Banned From hoisting banners in Accra

Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) within the Greater Accra Region have banned the posting of banners and posters on ceremonial streets and key locations in the region with immediate effect.

The MMDAs at a press conference organized in Accra on Thursday also gave a 14-day ultimatum to churches, advertisers, filmmakers, educational institutions and the general public to remove all such publicity materials from the city.

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the Ga East Municipal Assembly, Janet Tulasi Mensah, who addressed the press said the decision was in line with President Akufo-Addo’s vision of making Accra the cleanest city in Africa.

According to her, the hoisting of the posters and banners are illegal and deface the city.

She said anyone found defacing the city with posters and banners will be “dealt with in accordance with the respective bye-laws of the Assemblies.”

Janet Tulasi Mensah said the assemblies would announce designated areas that will accommodate such advertisements and persons interested in hosting their adverts will have to go through the assemblies.

Citing section 181 of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936) which mandates the Assemblies to enact bye-laws to govern the respective local area of authority and stated that the Accra Metropolitan Assembly’s (AMA) bye-laws (2017) on cleaning prohibits a person from affixing bills or posters for advertisement on any wall, road sign, tree or fixtures, other than on spaces specifically provided or approved by the Assembly for that purpose, or on property owned or occupied by that person.

Janet Mensah also stressed the resolve of the various assemblies to champion the agenda of beautification and cleanliness in the city of Accra.

She added that the MMDAs would continue to engage all relevant stakeholders to ensure cooperation and compliance with this directive.