The Office of the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC) has dismissed claims that the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo ordered selective demolitions of billboards, describing such assertions as inaccurate and misleading.
In a statement released and signed by Mrs. Lilian Baeka, Chief Director of the GARCC, responding to media publications titled “Call Linda Ocloo to order over selective billboard demolitions – AAG to Mahama”, the Council clarified that the ongoing billboard regulation and standardization exercise in the region is neither initiated nor supervised by the Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo.
According to the statement, the exercise is being conducted under the mandate of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs through a duly constituted Technical Committee on the Regulation and Standardization of Outdoor Signage.
It stressed that the process is a national institutional exercise and not a regional directive.
“As Regional Minister, Hon. Linda Ocloo has not sanctioned, ordered, or authorised any selective demolitions of billboards or outdoor signage,” the statement emphasised.
GARCC further explained that Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies are legally empowered to regulate signage within their jurisdictions.
Their responsibilities include issuing notices of non-compliance and removing structures that fail to meet safety and permitting requirements, particularly where such installations pose risks to motorists, pedestrians and public infrastructure.
The statement also noted that the Advertising Association of Ghana and other stakeholders are represented on the Technical Committee and have been part of the consultative and operational framework from the outset.
Describing attempts to personalise the exercise as unfair, the Council said assigning responsibility to the Regional Minister misrepresents the governance structure and risks undermining public understanding of how regulatory processes are implemented.
It reaffirmed that Mrs. Ocloo remains committed to fairness, transparency and constructive engagement, adding that her office will continue to support lawful processes that promote order, safety and sustainable urban development.
