About this module
Ghana has more phones than people. Every one of them will one day need a new battery, a clean charging port or a new screen. A careful, honest repairer is always needed.
Who it is for. People with no formal certificate. National Proficiency I is a bridging level for people with minimal education. Repair work is done sitting at a bench, so wheelchair users and deaf trainees can do it well.
Why phone repair
- Ghana had 41.8 million mobile connections in late 2025, more than one for every person, and 26.3 million internet users.
- In a study across Sub-Saharan Africa, phone repair was the main work for one in ten young people working informally in the mobile industry; most repairers were self-employed, and repair paid better than selling.
- Ghana's repair trade has three levels: brand service centres, mid-range service centres such as Carlcare, and independent shops. Good training helps you move up.
CTVET status. CTVET lists Electronics at National Proficiency I and II, but no programme just for phone repair. Its unit list was not found online, so this module is not that curriculum. Short courses also exist, for example GCTU's phone assembling and repairs course.
How the module works
Each unit has learning outcomes, performance criteria, the range and the evidence your assessor needs. You are judged Competent or Not Yet Competent from what your assessor sees, asks and reads in your logbook. About 70% of the time is practical, following CTVET's Oil Palm programme, which uses about 30% in school and 70% at the workplace.
Unit 1 · Work safely
Phones look harmless, but the battery can burn, the solder contains lead, cheap chargers can kill, and cleaning alcohol catches fire easily.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 1.1 Handle batteries safely | never punctures or bends a battery; isolates a swollen one |
| 1.2 Solder safely | uses ventilation; washes hands; parks the iron |
| 1.3 Prevent static and fire | wears a wrist strap; keeps alcohol away from heat |
| 1.4 Handle e-waste legally | stores e-waste for a licensed recycler; never burns it |
Range. Repair bench. Evidence. Observation every session; oral questions.
Batteries
A swollen battery is making gas inside. If punctured it can catch fire and give off toxic gas. Never press, pop or wet it, and stop using the phone. To remove one: drain the charge first, use only plastic tools, soften the glue with a little isopropyl alcohol rather than prying hard, work with good air flow, a bucket of sand nearby and a clear way out, and take a smoking battery outside or into a fire-safe container.
Chargers
In UK tests, 49 of 50 fake phone chargers could give a deadly shock or start a fire. Never sell or reuse a charger with a cracked case, loose pins or missing safety marks.
Soldering
Lead is a nerve poison, and most of it enters the body from dirty hands. Wash hands with soap before eating, use lead-free solder when you can, use a fan or extractor because flux fumes can cause asthma, and wear eye protection.
Static and alcohol
Static electricity from your body can destroy small parts: use a wrist strap and anti-static mat. Isopropyl alcohol catches fire at room temperature and its vapour can travel to a flame: keep it away from the soldering iron and heat gun.
E-waste
Which e-waste law? Act 917 (2016) set Ghana's e-waste rules, but it was repealed by the Environmental Protection Act 2025 (Act 1124), which now covers e-waste. Its 2016 regulations require repairers to hold an EPA permit, store e-waste safely for a registered recycler, keep records and provide disposal bins. Whether those regulations still apply under the new Act was not confirmed: ask the EPA regional office in Takoradi.
Never burn cables or boards. Open burning of e-waste releases lead and is the most dangerous e-waste activity, especially for children and pregnant women. Ghana's EPA has said people who burn e-waste will be prosecuted.
Safe or unsafe?
- Kojo presses a swollen battery flat to fit it back.
- Ama cleans a board with alcohol next to a hot soldering iron.
- Kwame washes his hands before eating after soldering.
- Efua burns old cables to get the copper.
- Yaw puts a damaged battery in the sand box.
- Esi sells a used charger with a cracked case.
Safe bench set-up
- Lay out the anti-static mat; put on the wrist strap.
- Place the soldering iron in its stand, away from the alcohol bottle.
- Check the sand box and fire extinguisher are within reach.
- Label an e-waste box and a damaged-battery box.
Battery check at home
Look at the phones at home. Is any back cover bulging? Explain to the owner why it is dangerous.
Unit 2 · Know your tools and the phone
Good tools and good habits stop you breaking what you came to fix.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 2.1 Use hand tools | opens and closes a phone without damage, using the right bits |
| 2.2 Use a multimeter | measures DC voltage and tests continuity |
| 2.3 Name the parts | names the main parts inside a phone |
Range. Scrap smartphones; chargers; batteries. Evidence. Observation; labelled photos.
The tool kit
A basic repair kit has a precision driver with many bits (Phillips, Pentalobe, Torx, Tri-point), angled tweezers, a spudger, thin opening tools and picks, a suction handle, and a magnetic tray for screws. In Greater Accra listings, soldering irons cost about GH¢65–164 and screwdriver sets GH¢80–350.
The multimeter
For DC voltage, put the black probe in COM and the red in V, and set the dial to DC volts. For continuity, choose the sound symbol and touch the probes together to hear the beep; always switch the circuit off first.
Open, name, close
- Open a scrap phone with the right tools. Lay screws on the magnetic tray in order.
- Name: battery, screen, charging port, cameras, speaker, motherboard, SIM tray.
- Photograph each step for your logbook.
- Close the phone. All screws back, nothing loose.
- Measure a battery's voltage and test a charging cable for continuity.
Price your kit
Visit a parts shop. Write the prices of a screwdriver set, a multimeter, a soldering iron and a phone battery.
Unit 3 · Find the fault and fix it
Ask, test, then repair. Most faults are simple: dirt, a weak battery, a broken screen or a software problem.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 3.1 Diagnose | asks questions, tests and writes the fault on the job ticket |
| 3.2 Fix charging faults | cleans or replaces a charging port |
| 3.3 Replace parts | replaces a battery and a screen on a practice phone |
| 3.4 Handle water damage | follows the water-damage steps |
Range. Scrap phones; common Android and iPhone models. Evidence. Working repaired phones; job tickets.
Diagnose first
- Ask: what happened, when, any drop or water?
- Look: cracks, swelling, corrosion, dirt in the port.
- Test: try a known good charger and cable; check the battery voltage.
- Write the fault, the price and the time on the job ticket before you start.
Common faults
- Won't charge: pocket lint in the port is a common cause. Clean it gently with a soft brush or wooden toothpick, never a metal pin; also try another cable and charger.
- Water damage: stop charging and using the phone and disconnect the battery. Rice does not work, because water hides under the board shields: open, clean with 90%+ isopropyl alcohol and air-dry.
- Screens and batteries: steps differ by model; follow the iFixit guide for that exact model.
Bench repairs
- Diagnose three scrap phones and fill a job ticket for each.
- Clean a charging port; test charging.
- Replace a battery (with the old one drained and placed in the sand box).
- Replace a screen; test touch, display and cameras.
- Record each repair with before-and-after photos.
Fault diary
Ask five people what problem they have had with a phone. Sort the answers by type (battery, screen, charging, software, water).
Unit 4 · Solar lamps, chargers and small electronics
Solar lamps, torches, radios and chargers break often and are easy to fix. They bring extra customers.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 4.1 Troubleshoot solar lamps | finds and fixes common faults |
| 4.2 Repair small devices | repairs a torch, charger lead or radio connection |
Range. Small solar lamps, torches, radios, cables. Evidence. Repaired items; logbook.
What usually goes wrong
When technicians in six Ghanaian cities were trained, simple troubleshooting solved 50–60% of customer complaints; common causes were wrong battery charging, panels kept out of the sun and wrong connections. In another programme, trained technicians repaired over 90% of the lights they diagnosed.
Fix three items
- Test a solar lamp: panel output in the sun, battery voltage, switch, LED.
- Re-solder a broken wire or replace a battery.
- Repair a torch or charger lead.
- Explain to a "customer" how to charge the lamp properly.
Find broken lamps
Find two broken solar lamps or torches in your area. Ask if you may try to fix them.
Unit 5 · Customer trust and the law
A customer hands you their phone: their photos, messages and mobile money. Honesty is your most valuable tool.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 5.1 Protect customer data | never opens photos, messages or apps without need and permission |
| 5.2 Use job tickets and warranties | writes clear tickets and warranty slips |
| 5.3 Refuse stolen or fake goods | checks IMEI and refuses suspicious phones |
Range. All customer jobs. Evidence. Role plays; sample tickets.
Customer data
A study found repair technicians looked at customers' personal data in about half of repairs, more often for female customers. Under Ghana's Data Protection Act, unauthorised disclosure of personal data can be punished with fines or prison.
- Ask the customer to back up and remove their accounts if possible.
- Test only what you need (screen, calls, camera). Never open photos, chats or mobile money.
- Never copy or keep anything from a customer's phone.
- Tell the customer what you tested.
Stolen and fake phones
In March 2026 the government and the NCA announced a Central Equipment Identity Register: phones will be marked green (cleared), yellow or red (blocked on all networks). Fake phones without genuine IMEI numbers have been targeted for cut-off before. Check the IMEI (dial *#06#) against the box; refuse phones you suspect are stolen.
Job tickets and warranties
Write every job on a numbered ticket: customer name and phone number, phone model and IMEI, fault, price, deposit, date promised. Give a written warranty (for example 30 days on parts and labour). Service centres such as Carlcare give warranties after battery and screen replacement. No Ghana law requiring tickets was found: this is good practice that builds trust.
The honest repairer
- Role play receiving a phone: fill a job ticket and check the IMEI.
- Role play a customer who asks you to unlock a phone they cannot prove is theirs. Refuse politely.
- Write a warranty slip.
Your promise
Write a short customer promise you would put on your wall (privacy, honesty, warranty).
Unit 6 · Your location and business ideas
The same skill can earn very different money in different places. Pick your spot with care, and add more ways to earn.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 6.1 Choose a location | compares sites with the location checklist |
| 6.2 Add income ideas | plans at least three extra income lines |
| 6.3 Cost permits | lists Assembly fees for repair and sales |
Range. Real or planned business sites. Evidence. Location report; business plan.
Choosing a location
Repairers in Accra cluster in markets, and the same pattern appears wherever markets grow. Takoradi's Market Circle is being rebuilt with 2,408 stores, but the project stalled in 2026. No study ranks other Takoradi sites, so check for yourself.
- Footfall. Markets, lorry stations, busy junctions, near schools and campuses.
- Few repairers nearby, or a way to be clearly better (faster, cleaner, honest, warranty).
- Parts nearby, or reliable delivery.
- Power. Reliable electricity; plan for outages.
- Safety and security. Lockable kiosk; lit at night.
- Access. Level ground for wheelchair users.
- Permit. Allowed by the Assembly; not on a road reserve.
Assembly fees (STMA 2025, per year)
| Category | GH¢ |
|---|---|
| Mobile phones and accessories, assembling and repairs (Category A) | 1,720 |
| Phones and accessories (Category B) | 350 |
| TV and radio repairers | 100 |
| Wooden kiosk permit, per square metre | 15 |
Ask the sub-metro office which category fits you.
Ideas to earn more
- Sell accessories: chargers, cables, cases, screen protectors (fit them for a small fee).
- Charging service during power cuts.
- Repair solar lamps, torches and radios (Unit 4).
- Refurbish and resell old phones, only with proof of ownership.
- Add mobile money (see the hub's Digital Skills and Mobile Money manual); the Assembly lists MoMo vendors separately.
- Go to customers: office and school visits, or contracts to look after a company's phones.
- Train apprentices once you are skilled.
Compare two sites
Count passers-by for 15 minutes and repairers within 100 metres at two sites. Score each on the checklist.
Ten customers
Ask ten people near your chosen site what repairs and accessories they would pay for.
Unit 7 · Market yourself and manage the money
Skill gets the first customer. Trust, speed and a good name bring the next hundred.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 7.1 Market yourself | sets up a WhatsApp Business catalogue and a sign |
| 7.2 Price a job | prices a repair with all costs and profit |
| 7.3 Keep records | records every job, cost and payment |
Range. The trainee's planned business. Evidence. Catalogue; price list; record book.
Get found
- WhatsApp Business (free): business profile, a catalogue of up to 500 items, status updates, quick replies and away messages.
- Google Business Profile (free) puts you on Google Maps and Search.
- Social media: Ghanaian small businesses use Facebook most, then Instagram, X and TikTok, and social media use is linked to higher profit. Facebook and YouTube each reach over 8 million people in Ghana.
Stand out
- A clear sign and price list.
- Before-and-after photos and short repair videos (never showing customer data).
- Warranty slips and job tickets (Unit 5).
- Finish on time; call when ready; keep the bench clean.
- Ask happy customers to post a review and send friends; give a small discount for referrals.
Price a battery replacement
Battery costs GH¢120; your time is 30 minutes at GH¢60 an hour; glue and alcohol GH¢5; a share of rent and power GH¢10. (1) Total cost? (2) Price for a 40% margin? (3) If you do 4 a day, 20 days a month, what is the profit?
Launch kit
- Set up a WhatsApp Business profile and a catalogue of five repairs and prices.
- Make a sign and a printed price list.
- Post one before-and-after photo of a practice repair.
- Start a record book: date, customer, job, parts cost, price, paid.
First review
After a real repair for a friend or relative, ask them for a short written or WhatsApp review.
Glossary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Competent / Not Yet Competent | The two possible results of a CBT assessment |
| Continuity | A complete electrical path; the multimeter beeps |
| E-waste | Old electronic items and parts |
| ESD | Electrostatic discharge: a static shock that harms parts |
| IMEI | A phone's unique number (dial *#06#) |
| Isopropyl alcohol | Cleaning alcohol for electronics; very flammable |
| Job ticket | A written record of a repair job |
| Spudger | A plastic or nylon tool for opening and lifting |
| Swollen battery | A battery bulging with gas; a fire risk |
Logbook
Copy these pages into an exercise book. Your logbook is part of your assessment evidence.
- Unit 1: bench set-up checks
- Unit 2: labelled photos; multimeter readings; kit prices
- Unit 3: job tickets; before-and-after photos of each repair
- Unit 4: repaired lamps and devices
- Unit 5: sample ticket and warranty; customer promise
- Unit 6: site comparison; business plan
- Unit 7: catalogue screenshot; price list; record book
- Every homework, dated
Self-check quiz
- What should you never do to a swollen battery?
- Why must you keep alcohol away from the soldering iron?
- How does lead from solder usually get into the body?
- What should you clean a charging port with?
- Does rice fix a wet phone?
- How do you see a phone's IMEI?
- What should you never open on a customer's phone?
- What must you write before starting a repair?
- Name three extra income ideas for a repairer.
- Name two free ways to be found online.
Further reading and sources
Best next reads: iFixit's free guides for each phone model; your multimeter's manual; the hub's Digital Skills and Mobile Money manual.
What this module does not cover: board-level micro-soldering, unlocking or IMEI changes (illegal and refused), laptops and TVs, and current Takoradi repair prices (not found; ask local shops).
Every source used in this manual is listed, with links, in the Teacher Copy.