By Dominic Hlordzi
For ten years, the Energy Commission has championed strategic efforts at reducing electrical fires and the use of substandard electrical cables across the country.
“Well done, says the Energy Ministry to the Commission for effectively implementing the Ghana Electrical Wiring Regulations 2011, L.I. 2008.”
Deputy Minister for Energy, Herbert Krapa on behalf of the sector Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh commended the Commission when it launched the 10th anniversary of the Electrical Wiring Programme in Accra.
He was proud of the achievements made during the ten years of implementing the wiring programme and pledged the government’s support in the work of the Commission.
“The days where practitioners used old methods of wiring are fast fading.”
Mr. Krapa mentioned reduction in the cases of fires, setting up of training centres, training of electricians to become certified professionals and educating experienced professionals to become inspectors and instructors.
These among other achievements, he noted, have made our communities safe when it comes to electrical wiring.
The Ghana Electrical Wiring Regulations 2011, (L.I. 2008) were passed into law by Parliament in February 2012.
The regulations were to respond to the frequent electrical fires in the country.
The key objectives of the Regulations are to ensure that only properly qualified and certified professionals engage in electrical wiring and installation works.
It has been ten years since the start of the implementation of the Electrical Wiring Programme.
What does the Energy Commission’s monitoring and evaluation report say?
Mr Oscar Amonoo-Neizer, the Executive Secretary of the Commission said the Electrical wiring has improved over the period leading to the reduction in electrical-related fires.
He revealed that during the period under review, the Commission trained and certified over 14 thousand professionals.
“A number of African countries have come to learn from us and are implementing based on our experiences and successes,” Mr Oscar Amonoo-Neizer trumpeted.
He was glad about the feat chalked up during the period and entreated practitioners to do their best to continue to adhere to the guidelines and regulations.
He also urged property owners to always employ the services of certified electrical wiring professionals to guarantee the safety of their buildings.
The Chairman of the Commission, Professor Oduro-Owusu congratulated the framers of the electrical wiring regulations and the staff for implementing the legislative instrument.
“We have taken a very bold step in celebrating what was started ten years ago. There were improper wiring before the implementation started and the cases of fires have reduced,”
Professor Oduro-Owusu noted.
There were goodwill messages by professional Associations and partners of the Commission.
With the launch, a number of activities will be carried out to celebrate and reflect on the ten years of promoting standards and ensuring that only certified electricians engage in electrical work to reduce electrical fires.
