The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has shut down 16 food service establishments in the Greater Accra Region for operating without valid Food Hygiene Permits.
The closures were carried out as part of an ongoing nationwide enforcement exercise targeting operators without valid permits.
Announcing the action in a post on X on February 18, the Authority noted that the move follows an earlier public notice issued ahead of the deadline.
“2 weeks after our notice to the public that, effective 1st February 2026, all food service establishments operating without a valid Food Hygiene Permit would be closed, we have taken action.”
“Today, 16 non-compliant food service establishments in Greater Accra Region, including The Cheesecake House, Dolce Frizzante, Onda, Alora Beach Resort amongst others were shut down for failing to meet regulatory requirements.”
“We remain committed to protecting public health and ensuring that all food service providers operate in strict compliance with good hygiene practices.”
At the beginning of February 2026, the FDA initiated a nationwide enforcement exercise ordering the immediate closure of all food service establishments operating without a valid Food Hygiene Permit.
The move is in line with Section 130(1) of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), which prohibits the sale or storage of food in premises that have not been officially inspected, certified and registered by the appropriate authorities.
Under this provision, food operators must obtain a valid hygiene permit confirming compliance with sanitation, food handling and safety standards before conducting business.
The directive affects the full spectrum of Ghana’s hospitality and food retail sector — from high-end lounges, restaurants and hotels to local chop bars, bakeries, school canteens and street vendors.
The Authority has also extended enforcement to the growing digital food market, specifically targeting online food vendors and food vans that operate without proper inspection and certification.
The FDA says the exercise forms part of its broader mandate to safeguard public health and ensure food businesses operate strictly in compliance with national hygiene and safety standards.
