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The Engineering Council of Ghana is gearing up for the full enforcement of the Engineering Council Act, Act 819, by June 2025, a move that will have significant implications for engineering practitioners, firms, and educational institutions.
The Council, currently in the midst of a nationwide sensitization program, aims to ensure compliance with the Act and its accompanying regulations before strict enforcement begins.
Act 819, passed in 2011, mandates that all engineers, firms, and educational institutions operating in Ghana’s engineering sector must be licensed.
The law was bolstered by the passage of the Engineering Council Regulations (LI 2410) in 2020, which provided the legal framework for the enforcement of the Act. Despite this, implementation has been gradual, with the Council focusing on educating stakeholders before full-scale enforcement.
According to the Registrar of the Council, Mr. Isaac Bedu, the decision to prioritize sensitization before enforcement stems from a need to ensure that practitioners and institutions are well-informed about the Act and the regulations.
“It will not be proper to start implementation immediately. the public must first be educated to understand both the reasoning behind the Act and what the regulations entail,” Mr. Bedu explained.
He emphasized that enforcement will only begin after ample time has been given for stakeholders to comply with the licensing requirements.
The sensitization program, which began earlier this year, has already reached various government sector engineering organizations, and the Council is now engaging private sector players.
Engineering entities in sectors such as mining, telecommunications, and construction are being targeted to ensure that they are fully aware of the new legal requirements. The Council plans to meet with the Chamber of Mines, telecom CEOs, and other key institutions in the coming months to drive the message home.
Failure to comply with the licensing requirements will have severe consequences for individuals and firms. Under the provisions of Act 819, unlicensed practitioners will not be permitted to operate in the country. This applies to individual engineers, firms, and educational units alike.
“The law says that unless you are licensed, you can’t practice engineering in the country. Firms and educational institutions found in violation will also be barred from operating,” Mr. Bedu stated.
The licensing process is designed not only to ensure compliance but also to elevate the standards of engineering practice in Ghana. By regulating the activities of engineers, the Council aims to eliminate substandard practices that have plagued the industry in the past. For instance, there have been instances of non-compliance with standards in the production of building materials such as cement, which has raised public safety concerns.
In response, the Engineering Council has partnered with the Ghana Standards Authority to enforce quality standards in the built environment. This collaboration will cover a wide range of materials used in construction, including reinforcement bars and electrical components, to ensure they meet the required safety standards.
“Licensure is supposed to ensure public safety and confidence in the engineering community,” the Registrar noted, adding that licensed engineers will practice with greater assurance, knowing they are meeting the highest standards.
The enforcement of Act 819 is seen as a necessary step toward sanitizing the engineering space in Ghana. The Council’s efforts are expected to create a more regulated and professional industry, which will not only boost public confidence but also enhance the country’s infrastructure development.
As part of the sensitization efforts, the Engineering Council has already registered over 4,500 individual practitioners, a number expected to increase by the end of the year. However, the process of registering firms and educational units has not yet commenced.
The Council anticipates that, once the sensitization program is complete, these institutions will begin the registration process, allowing for full enforcement by mid-2025.
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