Kumasi has long been admired—not only as a vibrant custodian of history and rich cultural traditions, but also for its environmental heritage and ongoing urban renewal initiatives. Yet, an emerging concern threatens this identity: the rapid and often indiscriminate proliferation of mounted billboards across the city.
In recent years, outdoor advertising has evolved into a thriving commercial venture in Kumasi. While this growth reflects economic dynamism, it has also led to the increasing congestion of road infrastructure with oversized billboards. What was once a carefully structured urban landscape is gradually being compromised by poorly managed and inadequately maintained advertising structures, many of which appear carelessly positioned along major roads and highways.
Even ceremonial routes—spaces traditionally preserved for their symbolic and aesthetic significance—have not been spared. This trend has significantly undermined the visual appeal and overall beautification of the city.
Although the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) is legally mandated to regulate outdoor advertising and collect the associated levies, enforcement efforts appear disproportionately focused on revenue mobilisation, with limited attention given to environmental aesthetics and public safety. The consequence is a surge in unauthorised and haphazardly erected signposts that obstruct visibility for motorists and pedestrians alike.
Areas particularly affected include the Aboabo–Airport Roundabout–Suame corridor (N10), Anloga Junction, Santasi Roundabout, and Ahodwo Roundabout—locations where excessive signage contributes to congestion and safety risks.
Regulatory frameworks exist to address this challenge. The Ghana Standards Authority prescribes that no more than three signs should be placed laterally on the same side of a road, with a minimum vertical clearance of 2.5 metres. Furthermore, the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2180) stipulates that outdoor advertising signs must not obscure or interfere with traffic signals or devices in ways that endanger motorists or pedestrians. Violations attract penalties ranging from fines to possible imprisonment.
Despite these provisions aimed at enhancing road safety and maintaining order, enforcement remains inconsistent. The continued tolerance of unauthorised billboards raises critical questions about regulatory compliance and institutional responsibility. The cumulative effect is an increasingly unsafe road environment for both drivers and pedestrians.
It is important to emphasise that outdoor advertising is a regulated professional practice. Individuals and firms engaged in mounting billboards are expected to possess the requisite technical expertise in signage placement and spatial planning. When this responsibility is neglected, the consequences extend beyond visual clutter—they pose tangible risks to public safety and urban integrity.
The pressing question therefore remains: are these persistent challenges the result of ignorance or negligence of coordinated urban governance?
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