Three massage spas operated by Chinese nationals in the Ashanti Region have been closed down after the facilities were found to be operating without licences from the Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC).
The affected facilities, located at Ahodwo and Daban in the Kumasi Metropolis, were among establishments inspected during an enforcement exercise aimed at ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements governing massage therapy, spas and related services.
According to the Ashanti Regional Regulation Officer of the TMPC, Divine Azraku, most of the facilities visited during the exercise lacked the necessary documentation required to operate legally.
He said the nationality of the operators did not exempt them from Ghana’s regulatory requirements, stressing that foreign nationals engaged in massage therapy were equally required to obtain the appropriate TMPC licence.
“Most of them were Chinese. They were more or less like foreign nationals who were operating in that space. So they’re supposed to acquire our licence, that’s TMPC licence, before they can operate,” Mr Azraku said.
The Council subsequently shut down the affected facilities and posted caution notices at their entrances.
Mr Azraku said the exercise revealed widespread non-compliance, with almost all the facilities inspected lacking the Council’s licence.
He explained that prospective operators must complete several requirements before opening a massage or spa business, including obtaining a business operating permit, an association card or proof of proficiency, and documentation establishing their experience in the profession.
The affected businesses have been directed to regularise their operations and complete the required registration processes before seeking permission to reopen.
They will also be required to pay fines imposed for the breaches.
“After the fine has been paid and the necessary registration processes have been done, then we go ahead and open the facilities for them,” Mr Azraku said.
The Council said the enforcement action was intended to promote compliance rather than discourage massage therapy and spa businesses.
Mr Azraku stressed that the TMPC was not opposed to the industry but wanted operators to meet the required standards and obtain the necessary documentation before commencing operations.
“We are not against the practice. We are not against the practice. So we want them to acquire the necessary documentation before we can start operating,” he said.
