Several mortuaries shut down in Eastern region over poor sanitation and safety violations

The Mortuary and Funeral Facilities Agency (MoFFA) has shut down a number of mortuaries in the Eastern Region as part of  enforcement operation to crack down on mortuaries operating without licences and those failing to meet basic environmental, safety, and operational standards.

The exercise is aimed at safeguarding public health and ensuring dignity for the deceased.

It has already resulted in the partial or full closure of several facilities.

MoFFA had earlier issued a one-week ultimatum on October 22 to all unlicensed public and private mortuaries to regularise their operations or face sanctions.

Among the first facilities affected are the Suhum Government Hospital Mortuary.

Inspectors found severe overcrowding, poor body arrangement, strong odours, and visible blood and serum on the floors.

The facility was immediately shut down for failing to comply with hygiene and operational requirements.

ALSO READ: Mortuary operators warned: Regularise operations or risk immediate shutdown

Attached below is a statement from the Ministry of Health on the mortuaries visited

𝐌𝐨𝐅𝐅𝐀 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐬 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 — 𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐮𝐭 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧
The Mortuary and Funeral Facilities Agency (MoFFA) has begun a two-day enforcement exercise in the Eastern Region, targeting mortuaries operating without licences and those falling short of basic environmental and safety standards. The operation, which forms part of efforts to safeguard public health and the dignity of the deceased, has already led to the partial closure of several facilities.

Among the first to be affected was the 𝐒𝐮𝐡𝐮𝐦 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 M𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲, which has a storage capacity of about 100 bodies. The facility was temporarily closed over non-compliance, overcrowding, and disturbing scenes of mangled bodies lying in poor arrangement. Inspectors also reported strong, unpleasant odours, blood stains, and serum on floors, conditions MoFFA described as unacceptable and hazardous.

𝐀𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 at Berekumaso near Asamankese followed closely, also sanctioned for poor sanitation, stagnant water, absence of a standby generator and lack of personal protective equipment (PPEs).

When the team arrived at 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐆𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 (𝐆𝐂𝐃𝐆𝐋), the mortuary was locked, and the attendant reportedly could not be found, neither could the keys. The site, however, was no different from previously assessed facilities: the environment was unkempt, poorly maintained and, according to authorities, "nothing good to write home about."

The 𝐀𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 also recorded similar levels of non-compliance and unsatisfactory sanitation.
On the second day of the exercise, the team proceeded to the 𝐊𝐰𝐚𝐡𝐮 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 in Atibie. Although the facility had registered with MoFFA, it failed to meet the required standard. Inspectors reported poor sanitation, and parts of the facility had even been converted into a farming area. The mortuary was subsequently shut down.

The inspectors then moved to the 𝐀𝐠𝐲𝐚𝐤𝐰𝐚 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 in Nkawkaw, where things looked noticeably better. The facility had implemented most of the corrective measures MoFFA had earlier recommended, resulting in improved environmental conditions. It therefore passed its assessment and was declared compliant.

The final point of inspection was the 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 in Osino. While the facility had registered, it did not possess a valid licence to operate and was therefore temporarily closed down pending full compliance.

Registrar of MoFFA, Mr Francis Ennin, disclosed that the affected facilities had earlier been notified and given two months to rectify their shortcomings but failed to comply. He explained that the inspection focused on waste disposal systems, water and power supply, sanitation, availability of PPEs, and how bodies are arranged, all measures aimed at preserving the dignity of the dead while protecting public health.

“We are here to ensure compliance and safeguard the welfare of Ghanaians,” he emphasized, warning that all non-compliant facilities would be surcharged and further monitored. “The exercise will continue until all operators do the right thing. We also urge mortuary owners to register with the Agency.”

According to MoFFA, about eight facilities have been earmarked for inspection in the Eastern Region alone. Facilities that are partially closed will not be allowed to receive new bodies, although families may retrieve remains already in storage.
Established under the Health Institutions and Facilities Act 829, MoFFA is mandated to license, regulate, and monitor all establishments involved in the storage, transportation and disposal of human remains.

As the enforcement drive continues, the spotlight now rests on other mortuaries across the country, with MoFFA signalling that non-compliance will no longer be tolerated.