News
AAG bemoans inappropriate erection of billborads
The Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG) has disclosed that over 60 per cent of billboards in the country are unlawfully erected, with their ownership largely unknown.
This follows the increasing trend of billboards and signposts mounted at inappropriate locations, such as pedestrian walkways, highway medians, and intersections, posing potential hazards to the public.
Speaking to Citi News, the President of AAG, Andrews Ackah, expressed concern over the situation, noting that many billboard installations do not go through the proper legal channels.
He warned that failure to regulate these structures could lead to future disasters.
“Our investigation shows that most people do not comply with these and make it very difficult for anyone to monitor how these illicit billboards are in place. From our investigation, we can place on record that there are about 50-60 per cent of the billboards that we do not know who owns them.
“This puts a question mark on the conscience of all of us. We strongly believe that the persons who, because of the illicit way of mounting billboards, do not go through the right procedure,” he stated.
Mr Ackah also highlighted the widespread disorder in Accra, where billboards are haphazardly displayed, creating both a public nuisance and intense competition among advertisers.
“This is compounded by the political cycle. Anytime there is an election coming up, you see all these billboards spring up anywhere, and those who mount these billboards do so while utilising the political favour they may be getting from the party to mount these billboards anywhere. What is also witnessed is that they are also mounting these billboards on the medians of the roads,” he lamented.
Management and staff of Owass FM have announced the passing of media personality, comedian and politician Seth Kwame Dzokoto following a medical emergency during a live morning show discussion at the station earlier today.
According to the station, Dzokoto was participating in a panel discussion on its morning show “Oman Nkoso” when he suddenly took ill and collapsed.
A statement from the station said its team immediately rushed him to the hospital for medical attention, but he was pronounced dead by the attending medical doctor upon arrival.
“We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident, which occurred in the course of our regular programming. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones, colleagues, and all those who have been affected by his passing,” the statement said.
Management acknowledged that information about the incident is already circulating in the public domain, but appealed to the public and colleague media houses to respect the privacy of the bereaved family and refrain from circulating unverified information or speculation regarding the circumstances of his death.
Owass FM extended its heartfelt condolences to the family of Seth Kwame Dzokoto.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The State through the Attorney General (AG) has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court challenging the suspension of the trial in the case of The Republic v Hanan Aludiba and Faiza Seidu.
On Monday, the Court of Appeal suspended the trial in the case. But the prosecution says it has filed an appeal against the suspension order.
According to the update, the law does not allow a criminal trial to be suspended simply because an accused person has complained about some of the charges on the charge sheet, particularly when those complaints were dismissed as meritless.
It argues that if the Court of Appeal’s decision is allowed to stand, no prosecution will ever be possible, since all it would take for a trial to be suspended is an accused person complaining about anything on the charge sheet.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
