Masons, Technicians to be licensed to operate – Mrs Bouchedid

Masons and technicians are to be licensed under the Engineering Council Act, Mrs Carlen Bouchedid, Former Executive Secretary of Ghana Institute of Engineers told journalists in Accra on Wednesday.

Receiving Presidential Assent on May 31, this year, the Act is to ensure the highest professional standards in the practice of engineering in Ghana.

However, Mrs Bouchedid, who is also a member of an Adhoc Committee that discussed provisions of the Act said a Board would be set up to operationalise it.

“When the Board is set up, craftsmen would have to be licensed through licensed agencies to operate,” she added.

Mrs Bouchedid was speaking at the end of a breakfast meeting jointly organised by the Ghana Institute of Engineers (GhIE) and Institute of Incorporated Engineers (IIE).

She advised “way side masons” and other craftsmen who had not acquired formal education to make themselves available for trade test to be certified to practice their profession.

Mr Kweku Ofori Bruku, President of IIE, said the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training was in the process of fashioning out standards, training and licensing of artisans, craftsmen and technicians to build their capacity to enable them to operate efficiently and effectively.

Mr Albert Ayeh Ogyiri, President of GhIE, said the Act was to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.

He explained that the Act was to secure the highest professional standards in the practice of engineering in the country, adding that the Board would be the Governing Body to undertake specific functions.

The Engineering Council Act (Act 819) defines engineering as the science and art of applying scientific and mathematical principles, experience, judgment and common sense to create, maintain, sustain, develop and apply technology for the needs and desires of society.

Source: GNA