The Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC) has shut down two traditional medicine facilities in the Ashanti Region for operating in breach of regulatory requirements.
The enforcement exercise, which is aimed at ensuring compliance with the Traditional Medicine Practice Act and protecting public health, targeted facilities that failed to meet licensing and professional standards.
As part of the exercise, the 21st Clinic Sciatica Expert at Ahwiaa in the Kwabre East Municipality was ordered to suspend operations after inspectors identified several infractions, including the engagement of unqualified health practitioners.
The Council also closed down Asenso Herbal Clinic at Pankrono in the Old Tafo Municipality after it was found to be operating without a valid licence and employing unqualified practitioners.
Speaking to Citi News, the Head of Compliance and Enforcement at the TMPC, Michael Lawson, explained that the Council is mandated to regulate and supervise traditional and alternative medicine practice in Ghana.
He said the Council’s responsibility includes ensuring that practitioners offering services such as herbal medicine, Ayurveda, homoeopathy, naturopathy, chiropractic care, yoga, and massage are properly licensed.
“The TMPC is the body mandated by government to promote, regulate, and control traditional and alternative medicine practice in Ghana. We are mandated to ensure that practitioners who are providing these services, such as running herbal clinics and herbal shops, are licensed to operate,” he said.
Lawson added that during enforcement exercises, inspectors verify whether facilities possess the required licences to operate.
He noted that facilities unable to provide valid documentation are temporarily closed to allow them the opportunity to regularise their operations with the Council.
“Once you don’t have the necessary licences and you fail to provide them, we are forced to temporarily close down the place to give you the opportunity to come to the Council and initiate processes to register your premises,” he added.
