The Engineering Council of Ghana has expressed grave concerns regarding the arrest of Ing. Michael Wiafe, the General Manager of the Ashanti East Office of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). Ing. Wiafe was taken into custody on April 10, 2024, after overseeing an operation to disconnect the power supply to Kumasi Technical University due to non-payment, a move allegedly disapproved by the Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, prompting his directive for the arrest.
In a statement issued by the council, it emphasized that Ing. Wiafe was simply carrying out his routine responsibilities concerning power distribution and the recovery of payments. “The Engineering Council is troubled by the fact that an engineering practitioner, who was carrying out his regular duties of ensuring power distribution and recovery of payments, has to face such a harrowing experience.
“Such a development not only serves as a disincentive to other engineering practitioners but could, potentially, interfere with the work of other professionals in their respective organisations,” part of the statement read.
The Engineering Council has called for an immediate and thorough investigation to understand the circumstances leading to the arrest and to prevent any future unwarranted interference in the professional duties of engineers. “The Engineering Council is calling for an immediate investigation into the matter. It is necessary to take all the required steps to prevent any similar unwarranted interference in the diligent discharge of duty by professionals. “The council is urging all engineering practitioners across the country restraint while appropriate state agencies deal with the matter,” it added.
By: William Narh
