A total of 275 electrical wiring professionals have been certified by the Energy Commission to strengthen technical capacity and promote safety in electrical installations across the country. 

The beneficiaries were drawn from the Northern, North East, Upper West, Savannah, Upper East and Oti Regions.

The newly certified professionals are expected to enhance compliance with national standards and help reduce electrical faults and fire outbreaks, which continue to pose a threat to lives and property. 

The certification was conferred at the 24th Electrical Wiring Certification and Award Ceremony held in Tamale under the theme: “Training Today’s Youth, Certifying Tomorrow’s Electrical Experts.”

In a speech read on behalf of the acting Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, Adwoa Serwaa Bondzie, the Assistant Manager and Electricity Regulations at the Energy Commission, John Nilimor Bukari, indicated that about 1,386 candidates registered for the November/December examination nationwide.

Out of the number, 1,179 candidates passed, representing an 85 per cent pass rate, with 275 candidates drawn from the Northern, Upper East, Upper West, North East, Savannah, Bono East and parts of the Oti regions.

He admonished the graduates to strictly adhere to the Electrical Wiring Regulations, 2011 (L.I. 2008), stressing that only certified practitioners were permitted to undertake electrical installations.

Fire safety concerns

For his part, the Northern Regional Fire Officer, ACFO I Joseph Koranteng, said electrical faults remained a major cause of fire outbreaks in homes and businesses in the region and the nation at large over the years.

Nonetheless, he said the certification process by the commission had significantly contributed to reducing fire disasters and safety adherence in recent times.

In his remarks, the Northern Regional Marketing Manager of the Ghana Standards Authority, Mahamud Misbawu, reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to supporting the Energy Commission in promoting standards, quality assurance and safety.

He said the certification initiative aligned with the authority’s efforts towards safeguarding lives and property through adherence to approved standards and best practices.

At the ceremony, Atinanbire Robert was adjudged the Best Industrial Candidate, while Ms Kaba Yakubu Waziema was named the Overall Best Female Candidate.