MoFFA Shuts Down Ashanti Morgues Act 829: Non-Compliant Facilities Closed

• Ghana's Mortuaries and Funeral Facilities Agency (MoFFA) has closed several public and private morgues in the Ashanti Region due to non-compliance with standards.
• The affected facilities, located in Asante Mampong, Effiduase, and Juaben, exhibited unsanitary conditions, including unkempt tools and bodies on floors.
• Many of the shut-down morgues were operating without proper licensing as mandated by the Health Institutions and Facilities Act, 2011 (Act 829).
• MoFFA's action, reported on September 23, 2026, aims to protect public health and prevent disease outbreaks in surrounding communities.
• These facilities had received notice of required improvements approximately two years prior but failed to comply.

The main reason for shutting down these facilities is to prevent potential disease outbreaks, both within the morgues themselves and in the surrounding communities.

The Mortuaries and Funeral Facilities Agency (MoFFA) in Ghana has initiated a significant enforcement action, leading to the closure of several public and private morgue facilities across the Ashanti Region. This decisive move, reported on September 23, 2026, targets establishments operating in the Asante Mampong, Effiduase, and Juaben municipal areas. The closures are a direct consequence of these facilities failing to adhere to essential operational and licensing standards, signaling a heightened focus on compliance by the Mortuaries and Funeral Facilities Agency Ghana.

This regulatory intervention by MoFFA underscores a commitment to upholding public health and safety within the funeral services sector. The agency's compliance team, spearheaded by Director for Compliance Mrs. Mavis Twumwaa Appiah, conducted thorough inspections that revealed widespread non-compliance. The primary objective of these actions is to ensure that all funeral facilities meet the stringent requirements necessary for the proper preservation of human remains and to safeguard community well-being. The MoFFA shuts down Ashanti morgues Act 829 initiative highlights the critical role of regulatory oversight in this sensitive industry.

During their inspections, MoFFA officials uncovered a range of alarming conditions at the affected morgues. These included unkempt tools and equipment, which pose significant hygiene risks. Furthermore, some facilities were found with bodies lying directly on the floor, indicating a severe lack of appropriate storage and handling protocols. The absence of proper handwashing areas for workers after handling remains was also a critical concern, contributing to an unsanitary environment.

Beyond these operational shortcomings, a fundamental issue identified was the failure of some facilities to secure the necessary licenses. The Mortuaries and Funeral Facilities Agency Ghana emphasized that these establishments had not been licensed in accordance with the Health Institutions and Facilities Act, 2011 (Act 829). This legal requirement is central to ensuring that all funeral facilities meet a baseline standard for public health and safety. The closures will remain in effect until these facilities can demonstrate full compliance with both operational and licensing mandates under Ghana funeral facility licensing Act 829.

The enforcement exercise by MoFFA is not merely punitive but is primarily driven by a proactive public health agenda. Director for Compliance Mrs. Mavis Twumwaa Appiah articulated that the main reason for shutting down these facilities is to prevent potential disease outbreaks, both within the morgues themselves and in the surrounding communities. The agency views these substandard conditions as a direct threat to public health, necessitating immediate and firm action.

It was also revealed that the affected morgue facilities had been given ample opportunity to rectify their deficiencies. Approximately two years prior to the recent closures, a formal letter was issued to all morgue facilities in the Ashanti Region, outlining the specific requirements they needed to meet to comply with MoFFA's standards. Despite this advance notice, some facilities regrettably failed to implement the necessary changes, leading directly to the current enforcement actions and the Asante Mampong Effiduase Juaben morgue closures. This underscores the agency's commitment to enforcing long-standing regulations after providing sufficient time for compliance.

This development signals heightened regulatory enforcement by MoFFA under the Health Institutions and Facilities Act, 2011 (Act 829) in Ghana, particularly concerning public health standards in funeral services. Lawyers advising clients in the healthcare, funeral, or related public health sectors should review their clients' compliance with licensing and operational standards to mitigate risks of closure and penalties.

Source: Original reporting via Emmanuel Bright Quaicoe.