The exercise, aimed at protecting public health and maintaining the dignity of the deceased, revealed alarming conditions at several facilities.

At the Suhum Government Hospital mortuary, inspectors temporarily closed the facility after observing overcrowding, poor body arrangement, foul odours, and blood-stained floors. The mortuary, which has a capacity of 100 bodies, was flagged for severe non-compliance.

Adom Funeral Home Mortuary at Berekumaso, near Asamankese, was sanctioned for stagnant water, inadequate sanitation, lack of PPEs, and absence of a standby generator. The Great Consolidated Diamonds Ghana Limited (GCDGL) mortuary was found locked with staff unavailable, and the environment was reportedly unkempt and poorly maintained. The Asamankese Government Hospital mortuary was cited for similar sanitation breaches.

On the second day, the Kwahu Government Hospital mortuary in Atibie, though registered with MoFFA, was completely shut down after inspectors noted poor hygiene and discovered parts of the premises had been converted into a farming area.

MoFFA Registrar Francis Ennin said all affected facilities had been warned months earlier but failed to address the issues. He stressed that the enforcement focuses on waste disposal, sanitation, power and water supply, PPE availability, and proper handling of bodies.

“We are here to ensure compliance and safeguard the welfare of Ghanaians,” he said, warning that non-compliant operators will face surcharges and strict monitoring.

MoFFA has identified eight facilities for inspection in the Eastern Region and clarified that partially closed mortuaries cannot accept new bodies, though families may retrieve those already in storage.

The agency plans to extend the enforcement drive nationwide to curb unsafe mortuary practices, under its mandate established by the Health Institutions and Facilities Act 829.

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The affected facilities include the Suhum Government Hospital Mortuary, Asamankese Government Hospital Mortuary, Great Consolidated Diamond Hospital Mortuary, and Adom Funeral Home.

According to MoFFA, these facilities fell short of the association’s operational standards and regulatory requirements.

In an interview with Adom News, Mr. Ennin explained that the closure is part of broader efforts to ensure that mortuaries and funeral homes operate in safe and hygienic conditions. He stressed that the move is not intended to collapse businesses but to safeguard public health.

Key issues identified during the inspections included bodies being stored on the floor, poor sanitary conditions, lack of personal protective equipment (PPEs), absence of standby generators, and the failure of some facilities to register with MoFFA.

The affected facilities have been given a two-week ultimatum to discharge all bodies and take corrective measures to address the deficiencies noted.

Mr. Ennin warned that facilities that fail to comply will face legal action and risk a total shutdown.

MoFFA assured the public of its commitment to supporting these facilities to meet the required standards, adding that the closure is a necessary measure to protect public health.

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MoFFA, which was established under Part Two of the Health Institutions and Facilities Act, 2011 (Act 829), is mandated to license, control, and regulate all establishments involved in the storage, transportation, and disposal of human remains.

The Agency expressed concern that several mortuaries and funeral facilities continue to operate without the required authorization, a practice it says contravenes Section 55 of Act 829.

The law stipulates that “a person who practices in a facility without registering as a practitioner or fails to license a facility commits an offence and is liable to a fine or the temporary or permanent closure of the facility.”

MoFFA therefore urged all unlicensed operators to comply immediately or risk having their facilities shut down.

“All operators of facilities and practitioners are by this notice advised to take steps to regularise their operations or risk closure of their facilities,” the statement emphasised.

The Agency further encouraged affected operators to contact its offices at the former Ministry of Health Main Building, Room 22, Ministries, Accra, or reach out through the following lines: 0302956550, 0243868384, 0244659795, and 0243164470. Additional information can also be accessed on the Agency’s official website, www.moffa.gov.gh.

Meanwhile, MoFFA has reaffirmed its commitment to “protecting the living and dignifying the dead” as part of its broader mandate to ensure safety, professionalism, and dignity in the country’s mortuary and funeral industry.

Source: Adomonline

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The workers have declared an indefinite strike over unresolved issues with their employer, citing the failure to meet their long-standing demands.

Among the demands are provision of adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and payment of salary arrears dating back to 2020.

Other demands are financial clearance for the employment of 500 additional mortuary workers as well as the payment of the COVID-19 bonus promised to mortuary workers by the President.

The strike comes in response to what the workers describe as deliberate inaction from the authorities.

MOWAG expressed concern about the alarming rate of deaths among mortuary workers due to poor working conditions, for which they call for urgent action.

In their notice, MOWAG made it clear that no further hearings or discussions would take place until their demands are implemented.

They also directed all members to close mortuaries and stay at home, informing the general public to expect the closure.

The strike is expected to have a significant impact on mortuary services across the country if their demands are not met before the deadline.