Power has been fully restored to Tamale and its surrounding areas after a timely intervention by the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, following a service withdrawal by staff from the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) and the Volta River Authority (VRA).

According to a press statement released by the Ministry, the disruption had left thousands of residents without electricity, but the Minister’s decisive action and engagement with key stakeholders led to a swift resolution.

Mr Jinapor’s visit to the Northern Region saw him engage in constructive discussions with a broad range of local and regional leaders.

Among those he met were the Northern Regional Minister, the Mayor of Tamale, the management of NEDCo, and representatives from both the Senior Staff Association and Union of NEDCo and VRA.

The Minister also consulted with the Regional Commander of the Ghana Police Service and the Head of National Security for the Northern Region to assess the security situation.

Engagement with Traditional Leaders

In addition to his meetings with government and security officials, Minister Jinapor paid courtesy visits to several prominent traditional leaders.

He visited the Gukpenaa Palace, Kuga Naa Palace, and Gbewaa Palace, where he listened to the concerns of the traditional authorities.

These consultations according to the statement were crucial in facilitating dialogue and understanding between all parties involved.

The Ministry also expressed its sincere gratitude to the Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari Gariba II, for his warm reception and valuable insights during the visit. Traditional leaders played a key role in ensuring peace and promoting dialogue, ultimately contributing to the restoration of services.

Power Fully Restored

Thanks to the Minister’s proactive engagement with all relevant parties, power has now been fully restored to the affected areas.

The staff of NEDCo and VRA have also rescinded their decision to suspend services, marking a positive resolution to the issue. To ensure continued safety and order, security services remain vigilant in the region.

"We are pleased that the situation has been resolved amicably," said Mr Jinapor. "This is a testament to the power of dialogue and cooperation. We thank all stakeholders for their collaboration in restoring power to the affected areas."

Call for Calm and Cooperation

While the situation has been resolved, the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition also appealed to residents to refrain from any acts of aggression towards NEDCo and VRA staff as they resume their duties.

In a statement, the Ministry stressed the importance of mutual respect and cooperation, particularly when dealing with essential services.

“We urge residents to allow the NEDCo and VRA staff to carry out their duties without fear of harassment,” the Ministry stated. “It is crucial that we all work together to maintain a peaceful environment that facilitates the continued delivery of vital services.”

Commitment to Prevent Future Disruptions

Mr Jinapor also reaffirmed the Ministry’s ongoing commitment to preventing future disruptions to the country’s power supply.

"We remain dedicated to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure the reliability of our power supply system. Our goal is to prevent further disruptions and to ensure that all Ghanaians have access to stable and reliable electricity," he concluded.