The Engineering Council of Ghana has called for calm following the arrest of Ing. Michael Wiafe, the General Manager of the Ashanti East Office of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
Ing. Wiafe was arrested on April 10, 2024, after disconnecting power supply to Kumasi Technical University due to non-payment of bills. It is alleged that this move angered the Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, who gave a directive for his arrest.
In a statement, the Engineering Council expressed shock at the turn of events, describing it as a “harrowing experience” meted out to its member.
It said it 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.”
According to the Engineering Council, incidents like this do not only become “a disincentive to other engineering practitioners but could potentially interfere with the work of other professionals in their respective organizations.”
Despite the growing anger among professionals over about the incident, the Council urged all members to remain calm. It expressed hope in the state agencies to handle the matter in the right manner.
“The council is urging all engineering practitioners across the country to exhibit restraint while appropriate state agencies deal with the matter. 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 statement said.