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Energy Commission Stops unprofessional electricians from wiring in October

kencitymediagh
Sep 7, 2017
2 min read

Mr Ofosu Ahenkorah, Executive Secretary of Energy Commission

Energy Commission to stop unprofessional electricians from wiring in October

Electricians in the country who have not been certified by the Energy Commission will not be allowed to undertake electrical wiring projects by October this year.

This is in line with Ghana Electrical Wiring Regulations 2011 (LI 2008) which was passed by Parliament in 2012.

Under these regulations, only Certified Electrical Wiring Professionals (CEWPs), qualified under the regulations, will be legally entitled to undertake indoor electrical wiring projects.

So far over 5,221 electricians have been trained and certified as professional electricians by the Energy Commission.

Speaking at the graduation of 621 electricians who have successfully completed Certified Electrical Wiring Professional training course organized by Energy Commission, the Executive Secretary of the Commission Dr Ofosu Ahenkorah indicated that his outfit is committed to making ensure that the electrical wiring regulations 2011 (LI 2008) are enforced come October.

"Let me say that the Energy Commission is committed to the full implementation of the regulations beginning October this year. In the past we had allowed wiring to be done by other people and get connected on condition that an inspector inspect and certify it. From October if you do not have certificate please don’t get near to wire,” he said.

He added that “From October we’re asking the distribution utilities that if the person is not a certified wiring professional who has a valid certificate please do not connect work that has been done by that person.”

“The purpose of this is to weed out the bad ones and encourage the good ones,” Mr. Ahenkorah noted.

He said the Commission would also as part of the enforcement of the regulations undertake inspection of buildings that are more than 10 years old to assess their wiring system.

Mr. Boakye Agyarko, Energy Minister

Energy Minister Mr. Boakye Agyarko was confident the certification of professional electricians in the country will help to minimize fire outbreaks that occur as a result of the use of substandard electrical materials by unprofessional electricians.

He stated that the Ministry is fully backing the Energy Commission to ensure that non certified electricians are not allowed to operate.

“Having stabilized power supply, what is now necessary is to ensure safety of supply and efficient use of the power. It is in this direction that I find the initiatives of the Energy Commission very resounding.

“Safety of supply means that the electrician who undertakes the wiring works has to ensure that the job has been done to perfection in order to ensure safety of lives and property.” Mr. Agyarko said.