By Solomon Gumah, GNA
Tamale, May 01, GNA – The Energy Commission has graduated a total of 275 certified electrical professionals in the northern part of the country to strengthen technical capacity and promote safety in electrical installations across the country.
The beneficiaries, drawn from the Upper West, Upper East, North East, Northern, Savannah, Bono East and other regions, underwent a rigorous training and certification process aimed at ensuring professionalism and compliance with industry standards.
The 24th electrical wiring graduation ceremony held in Tamale was under the theme: “Training Today’s Youth, Certifying Tomorrow’s Electrical Experts” and attended by various stakeholders including the security agencies, youth groups among other development partners.
Mr John Nilimor Bukari, Assistant Manager of Electricity Regulation at the Energy Commission, during the ceremony, made a presentation on behalf of Madam Adwoa Serwaa Bonsu, Acting Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission.
He said the graduation formed part of the Commission’s mandate to train young people through structured apprenticeship programmes and certifying competent professionals through rigorous assessment to ensure that only qualified practitioners handled electrical installations.
He said a total of 1,386 candidates registered for the November-December certification examinations nationwide, out of which 1,179 passed representing an 85 per cent pass rate.
He said “Here in Tamale, 275 candidates passed successfully and are graduating today. These numbers are not just statistics but represent individuals, who have chosen discipline and professionalism.”
Mr Bukari emphasised that the insistence on rigorous training before certification was necessary because the consequences of poor electrical work often resulted in loss of lives, destruction of property and financial investments.
He urged the graduates to see their certification not as an end but as a responsibility to uphold trust, maintain high standards, and continuously update their skills in line with evolving technology.
Mr Bukari announced that the Commission had begun nationwide registration of electrical apprentices to formalise training, track progress, and prepare them systematically for certification.
He also spoke on gender inclusion saying that out of more than 600 registered apprentices as of March 2026, only 36 were female describing the situation as a worrying concern.
He said the Commission was seeking partnerships with private sector actors and development partners to sponsor female apprentices with tools, transportation and certification fees to encourage greater participation of women in the field.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer (Grade I) Mr Joseph Koranteng, Northern Regional Fire Officer, underscored the importance of engaging only qualified professionals in electrical works to prevent fire outbreaks and protect lives and property.
He congratulated the graduands for successfully completing the certification programme, saying they had transitioned from artisans into recognised electrical experts equipped with the requisite technical competence.
He urged the graduates to uphold integrity and make public safety the hallmark of their work.
Miss Kaba Yakubu Waziema, who was adjudged the best female candidate at the ceremony, expressed gratitude to the Energy Commission for the opportunity, and encouraged more females to venture into the male-dominated electrical profession to contribute to national development.
She called on young women to take advantage of technical and vocational training opportunities to build sustainable careers and help bridge the gender gap in the sector.
GNA
Edited by Eric K. Amoh/Kenneth Odeng Adade