Tamale Power Restored as Energy Ministry Intervenes to Resolve NEDCo, VRA Staff Strike

Power has been fully restored to Tamale and surrounding communities after swift intervention by the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, following a strike action by staff of the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) and the Volta River Authority (VRA).

The strike, which had left parts of the Northern Region without electricity, was sparked by unresolved concerns raised by staff members of both NEDCo and VRA. However, a high-level visit led by the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor (MP), proved instrumental in de-escalating tensions and restoring normalcy.

During his working visit, the Minister engaged with a wide range of stakeholders including the Northern Regional Minister, the Mayor of Tamale, NEDCo management, leadership of the NEDCo and VRA workers’ unions, the Ghana Police Service, and the Northern Regional head of National Security.

Hon. Jinapor also paid courtesy visits to the Gukpenaa Palace, Kuga Naa Palace, and Gbewaa Palace to consult with traditional leaders and hear their perspectives. The Ministry extended special gratitude to the Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari Gariba II, for his warm reception and valuable insights during the visit.

Strike Resolved, Power Restored

The Ministry confirmed that following these engagements, NEDCo and VRA staff have officially rescinded their decision to suspend services. Power supply has since been fully restored to all affected areas. Security agencies have been deployed to ensure the safety of workers and infrastructure.

In a statement signed by the Ministry’s Spokesperson and Head of Communication, Richmond Rockson, Esq., the Ministry praised the cooperation of all stakeholders and urged residents to refrain from acts of aggression toward utility staff.

Commitment to Reliable Power Supply

The Ministry reiterated its commitment to ongoing dialogue with all relevant parties to avoid similar disruptions in the future and to ensure stable and reliable electricity for all Ghanaians.

“The Ministry commends all parties involved for their cooperation in resolving this critical situation. We reaffirm our commitment to continuous engagement with stakeholders to prevent future disruptions,” the statement read.

The restoration of power and the resolution of the impasse have been widely welcomed by residents and businesses in Tamale, who had faced significant inconvenience during the outage.