Ghana’s Energy Commission Urges Greater Female Participation in Electrical Installation
Background and Current Situation
During a recent visit to the Accra Technical Training Center (ATTC), the Deputy Executive Secretary of Ghana’s Energy Commission, Mr. Chris Nanabanyin Yalley, observed the May/June 2026 nationwide Electrical Wiring Professionals Examination. The visit was part of the Commission’s ongoing effort to safeguard the quality, professionalism, and integrity of the certification process for electricians across the country.
While touring both the interview and practical exam stations, Mr. Yalley noted a stark gender imbalance: the number of female candidates sitting for the examination at the Accra centre remained disproportionately low. This observation aligns with broader trends highlighted in the Energy Commission’s 2023 labour‑market survey, which indicated that women accounted for roughly 12 % of registered electrical installation professionals in Ghana.
Initiatives to Support Women Electricians
Mr. Yalley highlighted a targeted programme championed by the Acting Executive Secretary, Ms. Adwoa Serwaa Bonzie, designed to encourage and support female apprentice electricians. The initiative focuses on:
- Providing scholarships and stipends for women entering technical vocational training.
- Establishing mentorship networks that pair novice female trainees with experienced industry professionals.
- Offering flexible scheduling for practical assessments to accommodate caregiving responsibilities.
- Creating awareness campaigns in schools and communities that showcase successful women in the electrical trade.
According to the Commission’s internal monitoring report (Q1 2026), early participants in the programme have shown a 15 % increase in exam pass rates compared to the previous cohort, underscoring the potential impact of structured support.
Call to Action for Stakeholders
Addressing the gathering of examiners, trainers, and candidates, Mr. Yalley appealed to:
- Businesses and contractors to adopt inclusive hiring practices and offer on‑the‑job training slots specifically for women.
- Development partners to fund gender‑responsive training modules and provide equipment for female‑focused workshops.
- Industry associations to champion role‑model visibility and advocate for policy reforms that reduce barriers to entry.
He emphasized that boosting female participation is not merely a matter of equity; it directly contributes to national skills development, enhances safety standards through diverse perspectives, and fuels the growth of Ghana’s energy sector.
Looking Ahead
The Electrical Installation Specialist Examination will be administered simultaneously in four regional centres—Accra, Takoradi, Kumasi, and Tamale—as part of the Energy Commission’s mandate to maintain professional competence and safety excellence nationwide. By expanding outreach and sustaining targeted support programmes, the Commission aims to see a measurable rise in the proportion of women achieving certification over the next three years.
Stakeholders interested in learning more about the Commission’s gender‑inclusion strategies can consult the official Energy Commission Ghana website, where annual reports and programme details are publicly available.
