Electrical cables produced by indigenous Ghanaian firms are certified and are of world-class quality, the Director-General of Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Dr Alex Dodoo, has stated.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has licensed six indigenous electrical cable manufacturing companies that produce all kinds of cables for both domestic and industrial use.
They are Tropical Cables and Conductors Limited, Nexans Cable Ghana Limited, Reroy Cables Ghana Limited, Signal Ghana Limited, African Diamond Cable Company Limited and Fenice Metal Technology Limited Company.
Aside from that, the GSA has also licensed 100 importers that import foreign electrical cables in the West African nation for sale.
Speaking at the graduation of 195 electricians who successfully passed the Certified Electrical Wiring Professional examination, Prof Alex Dodoo said cables from the local manufacturers are of exceptional quality.
He noted that the huge proportion of imported cables has been a cause for considerable debate since the country has adequate capacity to produce some cables.
He revealed that nationwide surveillance conducted by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) in 2018 revealed that more than 70 per cent of imported electrical cable brands on the Ghanaian market were substandard.
He continued that a review of data from GSA laboratories indicated that 43 per cent of electrical cables tested did not pass the tests.
“This is a cause for concern, and we will continue to partner with the Energy Commission to drive this number towards zero per cent.
“Whilst achieving hundred per cent quality cables on the market is not easy, it can be done, and we are all committed to achieving just that and this is how we will do it,” he stated.
To address this, Prof Dodoo said his outfit has introduced a 3-prong approach towards solving the problem of substandard cables and accessories and ensuring the safety of life and property.
He mentioned continuous testing and certification of all cables, encouragement for local manufacture of not just cables but also of accessories heightened testing and inspection of all imports and increased market surveillance to rid the market of substandard cables.
He revealed that GSA had already trained the needed workforce to do that, and “we shall not relent in our efforts.”
He urged electrical cable consumers to patronise locally made cables for their safety and the growth of the country’s economy.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
