The Energy Commission (EC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening electrical safety in Ghana through structured youth training, certification, and digital reforms aimed at eliminating unsafe wiring practices.
Speaking at the 24th Electrical Wiring Graduation Ceremony in Accra, officials emphasised that the future of Ghana’s electrical safety depended on properly trained and certified professionals operating under strict regulatory standards.
The ceremony, held on the theme “Training Today’s Youth, Certifying Tomorrow’s Experts,” highlighted the Commission’s strategy of linking apprenticeship, certification, and professional development under the Electrical Wiring Regulations, 2011 (L.I. 2008).
Mrs Adwoa Serwaa Bondzie, the Ag. Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, said the regulations required that only certified practitioners undertake wiring installations, stressing that the policy was not merely procedural but a critical public safety obligation.
She explained that while certification remained essential, it must be preceded by structured training to ensure competence.
Providing updates on recent examinations, the Commission said 1,386 candidates registered nationwide for the November/December exams, out of which 1,179 passed, representing an 85 per cent success rate.
In Accra alone, 426 candidates successfully passed and graduated at the ceremony.
“These are not just numbers, but individuals who have chosen discipline and professionalism, proving that when we train today’s youth, they become tomorrow’s experts,” she said.
She warned that poor electrical work by untrained individuals continued to result in fire outbreaks, injuries, and loss of property, noting that many such incidents were preventable.
“Every year we record electrical fires and fatal shocks, and in most cases, the cause is unqualified persons handling installations,” she said.
She also announced a major shift toward formalising apprenticeship in the electrical sector, with over 600 apprentices already registered nationwide since March 2026.
Out of that number, 36 are female, a situation the Commission described as encouraging but still inadequate.
The Commission said the new apprenticeship registration system would track training progress, link apprentices to certified professionals, and ensure a clear pathway to certification.
The initiative is also expected to help policymakers identify districts with high numbers of uncertified electricians and design targeted interventions.
The Commission further pledged to mobilise resources to support female apprentices through sponsorships, training tools, and certification assistance.
“We must ensure that young women are not left behind in this profession. When we support one female electrician, we inspire many more,” she noted.
On digital reforms, the Commission highlighted progress made with the Installation Completion Certificate Application (ICCAPP), a system designed to streamline certification processes.
The Commission said the platform had moved beyond nationwide rollout and was now being integrated with operations of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo).
The integration, currently being piloted in 10 ECG districts, allows consumers to receive instant text message confirmation once an installation is certified.
This eliminates the need for physical documentation and reduces delays, fraud, and administrative bottlenecks.
“The system ensures that only installations completed by certified professionals are approved, while also protecting consumers from fake certificates and fraudsters,” the Commission explained.
Professor John Gartchie, Chairman of the Board of the Energy Commission, described electrical wiring as a critical component of national development, affecting homes, industries, and public infrastructure.
He said since the passage of L.I. 2008, the Commission had certified over 18,600 electricians and inspectors, demonstrating its commitment to safeguarding lives and property.
Professor Gartchie reiterated the need for increased support for youth training, particularly for women, and called on stakeholders, including Members of Parliament and private sector actors, to sponsor aspiring electricians.
He also urged Ghanaians to patronise certified professionals to ensure safety and quality in electrical installations.
The Commission, he said, would intensify monitoring and enforcement to promote discipline and professionalism within the sector.
Graduates were encouraged to uphold high standards, continuously upgrade their skills, and take advantage of growing opportunities in Ghana’s expanding construction and industrial sectors.
The ceremony concluded with a call for collective action to build a safer and more efficient electrical industry driven by skilled and certified professionals.
