Traditional Medicine Practice Council Shuts Down 30 Facilities in Ashanti Region Over Regulatory Breaches

The Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC) has taken decisive action against regulatory non-compliance by shutting down 30 traditional medicine facilities across the Ashanti Region. This enforcement exercise followed a rigorous 10-day assessment of 55 facilities, where inspectors identified various serious breaches of national health standards. The crackdown is part of a strategic effort to sanitize the traditional medicine sector and ensure that all practitioners operate within the legal framework to safeguard the health of the Ghanaian public.

During the operation, the Council uncovered numerous instances of illegal practices being conducted by unqualified practitioners. Many of the shuttered facilities were found to be operating without the requisite licenses or had failed to renew their documentation, a direct violation of the Traditional Medicine Practice Act. Michael Lawson, the Head of Compliance at the TMPC, emphasized that these closures were necessary to prevent the distribution of unsafe treatments and to uphold the integrity of healthcare delivery. He noted that the exercise revealed a worrying trend of operators disregarding essential safety protocols.

Beyond the immediate closures, the TMPC has warned that violators will face significant legal consequences. Mr. Lawson stated that the affected practitioners would be subject to administrative sanctions, and in cases involving extreme negligence or criminal conduct, the Council would pursue prosecution through the court system. This stance signals a heightened level of accountability for the traditional medicine sector, which remains a primary source of healthcare for many Ghanaians. By removing unlicensed operators, the Council aims to protect the reputation of ethical practitioners.

This regional operation is a precursor to a broader national strategy as the TMPC prepares to extend its enforcement actions across the country. Under the current administration of President John Mahama, there is a renewed focus on strengthening health regulatory bodies to ensure quality service delivery at all levels of the healthcare system. The TMPC has urged the public to be vigilant and only patronize facilities that display valid licenses, while further inspections are planned to ensure that every provider of traditional medicine meets the high standards required by law.