The Engineering Council has issued a final directive to all engineering practitioners, firms, and educational units in Ghana to regularize their professional standing by February 27, 2026.

In a stern warning issued on Monday, February 2, the Council emphasised that practicing engineering without official registration is a criminal offense under the law, potentially exposing defaulters to prosecution and hefty penalties.

The directive is backed by the Engineering Council Act, 2011 (Act 819), which grants the Council the authority to regulate the profession and ensure that engineering services in Ghana meet international safety and ethical standards.

Specifically, Section 13 of the Act explicitly prohibits any individual from offering engineering services or identifying as a practitioner unless they are duly registered. Furthermore, Section 14 mandates that practitioners must first obtain certification from a licensed professional body before seeking registration with the Council.

How to comply

To facilitate a smooth registration process, the Council has directed all engineers to liaise with the two primary licensed professional bodies in the country:

• Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE)
• Institution of Engineering and Technology, Ghana (IET-GH)

Practitioners must ensure they are "in good standing" with these institutions to qualify for the Council's national register.

Verification and the Public Gazette

Following the February 27 deadline, the Council will publish a comprehensive register of all licensed practitioners, firms, and educational units on its official website and in the National Gazette.

This public record will serve as a verification tool for government agencies, private contractors, and the general public. The Council further cautioned that it is strictly prohibited for any individual to endorse engineering documents or blueprints if they are not officially registered.

The Council urged all stakeholders—including universities offering engineering programs and construction firms—to review the Engineering Council Regulations, 2020 (L.I. 2410) to ensure full compliance.

"The public is advised to engage only registered practitioners and firms to guarantee the safety and integrity of engineering works in the country," the statement concluded.