The Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC), a regulatory body under the Ministry of Health, has intensified its crackdown on unlicensed facilities across Greater Accra.
On Thursday, April 23, 2026, TMPC officers stormed several centers, shutting down operations that continued illegally despite repeated warnings.
Head of Compliance Enforcement and Inspection at the Council, Michael Lawson, explained that under the Traditional Medicine Practice Council Act 2000 (Act 575), anyone providing services such as naturopathy, homeopathy, chiropractic, massage, herbal medicine, saunas, organic products, Ayurveda, or yoga must hold a valid license for both the service and the premises.
So far, the enforcement drive has inspected over 500 facilities, with more than six already closed for failing to secure valid licenses.
The crackdown follows reports that some centers were being used as fronts for human trafficking and other illicit activities.
“Some operators hide behind massage services to smuggle people and engage in other escapades. Our aim is to ensure that only licensed practitioners operate,” Lawson added.
Investigations revealed that while some operators had no licenses at all, others were using expired permits dating back as far as 2018.
Lawson noted challenges in enforcement, including operators ignoring official letters and reopening facilities after temporary closures.
“Sometimes we shut down a place, only to find it reopened. In such cases, we are forced to lock the entire facility to protect the public,” he explained.
The TMPC says the exercise will continue for the next 15 days, targeting unlicensed facilities.
The Council has warned that any facility found flouting the law will be shut down immediately to safeguard the public from unsafe practices.
By Beatrice Sowah
