The Engineering Council of Ghana has called for an immediate investigation into the arrest of Michael Wiafe, the General Manager of ECG’s Ashanti East Office.
He was arrested on April 10, 2024, following a power cut at the Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) due to an outstanding debt of GHC1.2 million.
Simon Osei-Mensah, the Ashanti Regional Minister, is alleged to have arranged for the arrest of the general manager after he failed to restore power to the university.
He was later released on self-recognisance bail.
In a statement, the Engineering Council said it is troubled by the ordeal of Mr Wiafe, who was only carrying out his duty.
“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,” the professional entity stated in a release.
It added that the appropriate authorities must take action to prevent future occurrences of such interference.
“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 also urged all engineering practitioners nationwide to exercise restraint while the state agencies deal with the issue.
The joint unions in the region registered their displeasure with the minister’s actions, asserting that they do not follow his directives in their operations but owe allegiance to ECG.
They threatened to raise red flags and dress in red if the regional minister failed to withdraw the case from the police station.