HeFRA shuts down Guinness Ghana Clinic in Kumasi over expired licence

The Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HeFRA) has closed down a clinic operated by Guinness Ghana Limited in Ahinsan, Kumasi, after discovering that the facility had been operating without a valid licence for six years.

The enforcement action is part of HeFRA’s nationwide compliance exercise targeting health facilities that continue to operate without proper regulatory approval.

According to HeFRA officials, the Guinness Ghana Clinic had not renewed its operational licence since 2019, contravening Part 1, Section 11 of the Health Institutions and Facilities Act, 2011 (Act 829).

The Act mandates all health institutions—public, private, or corporate—to obtain and maintain a valid operational licence before providing healthcare services.

Ms. Ayrima emphasized that the objective of the enforcement exercise is not to disrupt essential services, but to ensure that all healthcare providers adhere to national standards for quality and safety.

She noted that unlicensed facilities—regardless of their ownership—pose a serious risk to patients, as they operate outside the scope of proper supervision and quality assurance mechanisms.

Sources within Guinness Ghana Limited confirmed that the affected clinic primarily catered to employees and their dependents, offering first aid and occupational health services on-site.

The company is yet to issue an official statement on the closure, but internal reports suggest discussions are ongoing to rectify the licensing issue and ensure compliance with HeFRA’s regulations.

HeFRA has cautioned other corporate and private institutions running in-house medical facilities to regularize their licences immediately or risk similar sanctions.

The agency also announced plans to intensify its inspection and enforcement activities in the Ashanti Region, where more than 200 facilities have been flagged for non-compliance.