Anyone who wants to operate in the mortuary sector will now need to get a certificate from an approved institution, according to Dr. Yaw Twerefuor, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mortuaries and Funeral Facilities Agency.
He said that the Mortuary Science course, which will soon be offered at several colleges, will allow students to study corpses all the way up to funeral homes or mortuaries.
“We have reached out to KNUST with all the necessary documentation for the course to be introduced in the University. There are other private schools in Accra like the Pentecost University that have also shown interest”, Dr Yaw Twerefuor revealed.
In an interview with Mr. Yaw Twerefuor on Angel FM Kumasi, he said that Ghana has never before taught anybody in the official sector in mortuary science, which is why the decision to establish the subject in universities was made.
“In other countries, it is a degree course but in Ghana, none of our mortuary attendants has a certificate not to talk of a degree”, the CEO bemoaned.
He also noted that the Mortuaries and Funeral Facilities Agency is responsible for issuing accreditation to any educational institution which wishes to run such a course.
“They will have to bring their curriculum for us to certify them to be able to run the course. We will set their questions and supervise their exam”, he added.
He believes that the new legislation will help the nation’s mortuary business grow and become more appealing.
The Health Institutions and Facilities created the Mortuaries and Funeral Facilities Agency on December 31, 2011, in accordance with ACT 829.
It is in charge of approving, monitoring, and overseeing establishments involved in the transportation, storage, and disposal of human remains.
