Ghana’s Mortuaries and Funeral Facilities Agency (MOFFA) will deploy personnel across all districts to monitor funeral activities. These personnel, referred to as ‘funeral police,’ aim to prevent the mistreatment of corpses. This nationwide deployment is a significant step to strengthen oversight of the funeral industry.
The agency plans to equip these personnel with mobile phones and motorbikes. This equipment will enable them to respond quickly to funeral activities and document suspected cases of abuse. MOFFA’s Executive Director, Francis Ennin, stated this deployment forms part of measures to deter people from handling corpses in undignified ways. The presence of these personnel at funeral grounds is expected to act as a deterrent.
This initiative fits into Ghana’s broader efforts to regulate public health and cultural practices. The funeral industry, while culturally significant, has faced scrutiny regarding standards and practices. MOFFA’s actions reflect a commitment to ensuring respect for the deceased and compliance with established protocols. The agency has previously taken steps like shutting down non-compliant mortuaries, highlighting ongoing regulatory challenges.
Francis Ennin confirmed the agency’s strategy. “We’ll be giving them mobile phones and motorbikes so that wherever there is a funeral activity, they may be going there,” he explained. He added, “They may be taking pictures and videos so that whoever misbehaves, the person may not know the presence of MOFA personnel there.” This covert monitoring approach is designed to catch offenders unaware. The agency has already established regional offices, paving the way for district-level deployment.
The immediate focus for MOFFA will be parts of southern and middle Ghana. The agency believes inappropriate practices involving corpses are more prevalent in these regions. Mr. Ennin noted that behavior differs across the country, with northern Ghana exhibiting fewer such issues. This targeted approach aims to address specific regional challenges effectively.
MOFFA is also working on proposals to strengthen legislation governing corpse handling. This includes introducing punitive measures against offenders. The agency is currently preparing a draft document to guide these proposed changes. Amending existing legislation can be costly, so MOFFA seeks efficient ways to implement new rules. This legislative push underscores the seriousness of the issue.
A committee is considering the draft document. It will require approval from the MOFFA board and the Ministry of Health before becoming a national working document. This multi-stage approval process ensures thorough review and broad consensus. The agency’s efforts are part of a wider commitment to ensure corpses are treated with dignity and funeral facilities comply with the law. This comprehensive approach addresses both enforcement and legal frameworks.
The deployment of 'funeral police' represents a proactive measure to enforce standards. It aims to protect public health and uphold cultural values surrounding death. The agency's focus on both monitoring and legislative reform indicates a long-term strategy. This strategy seeks to professionalize the funeral sector and prevent future abuses. The public can expect increased scrutiny of funeral practices across the country.