Electricians will now have to be certified by the Energy Commission before they can operate in the country, Mr. Victor Owusu, Public Relations Manager of the Energy Commission, said on Wednesday.

He was speaking on the upcoming second electricians’ certification examination at a one- day seminar for electricians organized by the Western Regional branch of the Ghana Electrical Contractors Association at Takoradi. Mr.Owusu said electricians, who have not been certified by the commission will not be allowed to operate as from February 23 next year.

He said, Electricians without certificates from the commission cannot call themselves electricians after the deadline.

Mr.Owusu said the certification process included examination, practical work and interview and was a requirement of the law governing the operation of electricians. He said the examination will be held twice a year in order to turn out as many certified electricians as possible before the enforcement of the law.

Mr.Owusu advised electricians to take advantage of the examinations before it is too late and to conduct themselves in a professional manager. Mr. Solomon Sarpong, a Regulation Director of the Energy Commission, said electrical wiring was a professional business and must be carried out according to laid-down guidelines.

He said the law specified who was qualified to undertake electrical wiring, how it should be done and the kind of materials to use. Mr. Sarpong said Electrical Wiring Inspectors would inspect wiring before the Electricity Company of Ghana connects electricity to any building.

He said the names and contact information of all certified electricians will be published in the dailies to enable the public to get in touch with them for contracts.