Health Minister Directs Regulatory Bodies to Clamp Down on Illegal Health Operations

The Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has issued a firm directive to all health agencies and regulatory bodies to intensify enforcement operations against unlicensed health facilities and quack practitioners whose illegal activities continue to endanger public health and safety across the country.

Speaking during the signing of a Performance Contract Agreement with agencies under the Ministry of Health, the Minister applauded institutions that have recently stepped up regulatory enforcement, particularly the Traditional Medicine Practice Council and the Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HeFRA), for their decisive actions in shutting down non-compliant facilities and unqualified operators.

“I commend some of the agencies that are shaking the system. I’ve heard about the Traditional Medicine Practice Council going around, trying to clamp down on quack practitioners. I’ve also heard about HeFRA; they are shaking the system,” Mr. Akandoh said.

However, the Minister expressed concern over the limited visibility and enforcement by other regulatory bodies such as the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the Mortuaries and Funeral Facilities Agency (MoFFA). He urged them to increase their oversight activities and ensure that all health-related operations across the country comply with national standards.

“I have not heard much about the FDA. I want to hear the FDA out there. All agencies under the ministry must be visible and execute their mandates, especially MoFFA. There are many mortuaries operating without certification, and that poses serious health risks,” he cautioned.

Mr. Akandoh emphasized that the proliferation of unauthorized mortuaries and poor handling of corpses in certain areas could expose communities to infectious diseases and undermine the country’s public health efforts. He called for strict regulation and monitoring of all mortuary and funeral facilities to ensure proper hygiene, safety, and ethical standards.

The Health Minister reaffirmed his commitment to supporting all regulatory bodies to deliver on their mandates, warning that the Ministry would not tolerate any negligence that compromises public health.

“Every agency under the Ministry must rise to the occasion. Enforcement should not be selective. Our collective responsibility is to safeguard the health and lives of Ghanaians,” he stressed.

Mr. Akandoh’s directive comes at a time when the health sector continues to grapple with the growing menace of fake drugs, unlicensed clinics, and unqualified practitioners, many of whom operate without professional certification or supervision.

The Ministry has vowed to sustain the enforcement drive and collaborate with security agencies to clamp down on offenders while promoting compliance and accountability across all health-related services in the country.