Tamale and nearby communities may soon experience disruptions in electricity supply following a service withdrawal by staff of the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition has announced.
The decision to halt services was taken after an emergency meeting on Thursday, July 31, 2025, by the leadership of the VRA/NEDCo Senior Staff Association and the Division Union. The action was in response to a violent incident on July 30, in which utility workers were attacked by unidentified individuals.
Eyewitness accounts reveal that staff driving official vehicles were intercepted, physically assaulted with sticks and clubs, and had their vehicles forcibly taken to the Gukpena Palace. The unions described the attack as “barbaric” and part of a recurring pattern of hostility toward VRA/NEDCo personnel in the region.
Previous incidents cited include assaults in Lamakara (2016), Dohinayilli (2017), and Vittin (2019), as well as vandalism of company property in 2015.
In a statement, the Ministry condemned the violence and called for calm. Richmond Rockson, Head of Communications at the Ministry, speaking on behalf of the sector minister, stressed that the government is treating the matter with urgency.
“The Ministry has taken notice of these reports. The Minister, Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor, is currently on short leave. In his absence, the Minister of Finance is managing the Ministry’s affairs and will be fully briefed. Hon. Jinapor resumes office on Monday, August 4, and will take swift action to address the issue,” Mr. Rockson stated.
He also cautioned that the withdrawal of services could impact power delivery in affected areas, urging the public to support utility personnel as efforts are made to restore normalcy.
“We appeal to the residents of Tamale and its environs to remain calm and cooperate with VRA/NEDCo staff. Further aggression will only worsen the situation and prolong any interruptions in power supply,” he said.
