The Engineering Council of Ghana is preparing to fully implement the Engineering Council Act (Act 819) by June 2025, a move that will impact engineering professionals, firms, and educational institutions across the country.

Currently, the Council is conducting a nationwide sensitisation campaign to promote adherence to the Act and its associated regulations, ensuring compliance before enforcement begins.

Act 819, which was enacted in 2011, requires all engineers, firms, and educational institutions in Ghana’s engineering sector to obtain proper licencing.

Mr. Isaac Bedu, the Council's Registrar, explained that the focus on sensitisation before strict enforcement is aimed at ensuring that all stakeholders understand the Act’s requirements.

Enforcement will commence only after sufficient time has been provided for practitioners and institutions to comply with licencing standards.

Non-compliance with the licencing rules will carry serious penalties, as unlicensed engineers, firms, and educational institutions will not be allowed to operate in Ghana. The Council's goal is to prevent substandard engineering practices, which have previously led to issues such as the production of subpar building materials like cement, raising significant public safety concerns.

By enforcing the Act, the Council seeks to improve the quality of engineering practices in Ghana, ensuring adherence to professional standards.

“Licensure is supposed to ensure public safety and confidence in the engineering community,” the Registrar noted, adding that licenced engineers will practice with greater assurance – knowing they are meeting the highest standards.

The enforcement of Act 819 is regarded as a vital measure for cleansing the engineering sector. As a result, the Engineering Council's initiatives are anticipated to foster a more regulated and professional industry, ultimately enhancing public confidence and contributing to the nation’s infrastructure development.

So far, the Engineering Council has registered more than 4,500 individual practitioners, a figure that is expected to rise by the year's end. However, the registration process for firms and educational institutions has yet to begin.

Following the completion of the sensitisation program, these institutions will initiate their registration processes, paving the way for full enforcement of the Act by mid-2025. This transition aims to solidify the standards of engineering practices across the country, ensuring a higher level of professionalism within the sector.