Examine Electrical Products Being Imported Into The Country - Association

Friday March 05, 2010
By Collins Boateng

THE Ghana Standard Board (GSB) has been asked to critically examine electrical products being imported into the country.

Making the call at a press conference in Accra yesterday, the Ghana Association of Electrical Contractors said critical examination will enable investigations be conducted on causes of recent rampant fire outbreaks in the country.

The president of the association, Mr. Joseph B. Walker said such measure is necessary in view of the fact that the investigation committee at the Ministry of foreign Affairs attributed the fire to an electrical fault.

“The cause of fire outbreaks in the country resulting in the loss of millions of cedis to the state can happen to other government and private proper steps are not taken to prevent future occurrences”, he said.

Mr Walker said, to steam the incidence of electrical fire out break the Association would provide maintenance and engineering audits on all electrical installation of government and private properties within each region of the country.

He said, “the Association further intends to educate the public on energy conservation and if possible extend same to government organisations.

He urged, the government to approve the right estimates for electrical projects, especially for state buildings, stressing that qualified contractors should be engaged in such businesses.

According to him ignorance on the part of the public on electrical gadgets had played a key role in the country’s recent fire outbreaks, adding that the Volta River Authority and the Electricity Company of Ghana were not the cause of fire outbreaks in homes.

“VRA has the qualified men to do the job so is the ECG, all that the public needs to do is to consult the experts in purchasing the right electrical equipment, he said.

Mr G.D. Boateng, Chairman of the Association said the normal voltage for every home should be 230 volts “and anything higher than this can cause fire”

He said “any government building which is between 20 and 25 years and over should be renewed to accommodate the current electrical pressure contending that by so doing the possibility of fire out-break could be curb.

He advised government to involve experts when giving out contracts to electricals.

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