The Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC) has issued an urgent, final notice to all traditional and alternative medicine practitioners in Ghana: register and obtain a license by August 31, 2025, or face severe penalties, including fines, imprisonment, and forced closure
In a strongly-worded notice dated August 22nd and addressed to all major practitioner associations, including GHAFTRAM and GAMPA, the TMPC, which operates under the Ministry of Health, declared an end to its grace period for compliance with the Traditional Medicine Practice Act, 2000 (Act 575).
Zero-Tolerance Enforcement Begins September 1st
The Council outlined a rigorous enforcement plan set to begin on September 1, 2025. This includes:
· Systematic inspections of all traditional medicine practices.
· Administrative closure of any operation without a valid license.
· Prosecution of non-compliant practitioners, which can result in fines of up to 500 penalty units, a two-year prison sentence, or both.
· Seizure of all unlicensed herbal medicines and practice materials.
· Coordination with the Ghana Police Service and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to carry out enforcement.
A Call for Immediate Action
The TMPC is urging all practitioners to immediately:
- Complete their registration with the Council.
- Obtain and display a valid practice license prominently at their place of work.
- Maintain all records as required by law.
The notice emphasizes that Section 9 of Act 575 prohibits anyone from practicing traditional medicine or producing herbal medicines for sale without being registered with the TMPC.
Support and Contact Information
Practitioners needing assistance have been directed to contact the TMPC National Office hotline at 0542380981 or to visit any TMPC District or Regional office with their required documents.
The Council has called upon the leadership of all 17 listed associations, including the Ghana Association of Traditional Healers and the Naturopathy Practitioners Association, to immediately disseminate this information and encourage their members to comply to avoid legal action.
A Partnership for Safe Medicine
While the notice carries a stern warning, it concludes by recognizing practitioners as “valued partners” in promoting safe and ethical traditional medicine in Ghana. The TMPC states its trust in the associations’ commitment to ensuring their members operate within the legal framework established by Parliament.
This crackdown signifies a major step by health authorities to formalize and regulate the traditional medicine sector, aiming to protect public health and ensure standards across the industry.
