The Energy Commission of Ghana has cautioned newly certified electricians to refrain from impersonating staff of the Commission or making false promises to clients about securing electricity meters from the Northern Electricity Distribution Company.
The warning was delivered during the 4th Electrical Wiring Graduation Ceremony, where 275 trainees comprising men and women were awarded certificates after a year of training. The event was held under the theme “Training Today’s Youth, Certifying Tomorrow’s Experts.”
According to the Commission, such misconduct could attract sanctions, stressing that certified electricians must operate strictly within their professional mandate.
It further revealed that certification processes have now been migrated from manual systems to digital platforms, enabling certified electrical inspectors to monitor electricians’ work through unique codes.
The Commission explained that these codes will serve as the basis for power distribution companies to issue electricity meters to customers.
The graduates were drawn from the Upper West, North East, Northern, Upper East, Savannah, and parts of Bono and Oti regions. They were advised to follow proper procedures when assisting clients to acquire separate electricity meters.
Additionally, the Commission urged electricians to exercise caution when dealing with buildings older than 10 years, noting that such facilities must first be assessed by certified electrical inspectors before any wiring work is undertaken.
Northern Regional Chief Fire Officer, ACFO Joseph Kronteng, warned that the use of uncertified electricians and substandard materials remains a leading cause of fire outbreaks in homes and businesses in the region.
He noted that these incidents often result in the loss of lives and destruction of properties worth millions of cedis. CFO Kronteng commended the Commission for enforcing the Electrical Wiring Regulation, 2011 (L.I. 2008), which he said has helped streamline the industry.
“Before the regulation, the sector was flooded with unqualified electricians carrying out unsafe installations, leading to devastating consequences,” he stated.
He emphasized that Ghana’s industrialization agenda and quest for universal energy access depend on a skilled, certified, and competent workforce.
“When you sign off on a project or install a circuit, remember you are holding the lives of families and the security of their investments in your hands,” he cautioned.
Northern Regional Manager of the Energy Commission, Samuel Owusu, described the ceremony as not just an award event, but a celebration of dedication and a step toward a safer and more reliable electrical future.
“Every properly connected cable and every installation that meets required standards protects lives and secures property,” he said, urging graduates to uphold professionalism and ethical standards.
In an address read on her behalf, Executive Secretary of the Commission, Adwoa Serwaa Bondzie, highlighted the increasing demand for certified electricians due to Ghana’s rapid development and industrial growth.
She encouraged the graduates to continuously upgrade their skills to meet evolving industry demands and disclosed plans by the Commission to seek financial support to enhance training opportunities for female electricians.
Northern Regional Secretary of the Certified Electrical Wiring Professionals Association of Ghana (CEWPA), Ibrahim Mohammed Amin, urged electricians to strictly adhere to wiring regulations, describing them as critical to both residential and commercial safety.
He further called for the use of quality materials and thorough inspections before approving electrical installations. Mr. Amin also advocated stronger collaboration among key industry players, including Volta River Authority, Electricity Company of Ghana, GRIDCo and Ghana Standards Authority, to improve service delivery and reduce the burden on consumers.
