The Energy Commission has trained and licensed 2000 new certified professional electricians as part of efforts to ensure safety and productivity of Ghana’s energy sector, Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has said.

Presenting the government’s budget statement for the 2020 fiscal year in parliament on Wednesday November 13, Mr Ofori-Atta said : “to ensure safety and productivity of Ghana’s Energy Sector by developing and enforcing regulations in the electricity and natural gas sectors, Energy Commission trained and licensed over 2,000 new certified professional electricians.”

He further stated that in 2020, the Energy Commission will continue to partner the various stakeholders in the energy sector for the continuous enforcement of standards and regulations to streamline activities in the sector.

Key activities to be undertaken include “Submit to Parliament a new Legislative Instrument to regulate the electrical cables and wiring accessories that may be produced, imported and sold in the country; Update of existing regulations on the standard of operation in the electricity distribution sector; and Enforcement of the provisions of the local content and local participation regulations for the electricity supply industry to ensure that Ghanaian citizens and indigenous companies participate fully in the development of the sector.”

He further told the House that Energy Commission started consultations and procurement processes for an operator to develop, construct and operate a gas distribution network in the Tema Industrial Area. In 2020, the Commission will promote the utilization of natural gas in the industrial sector to ensure the full and productive utilization of Ghana’s domestic natural gas resources.