Staff members of the Northern Area branch of the Volta River Authority/Northern Electricity Distribution Company (VRA/NEDCo) have officially resumed full operations in Tamale and its surrounding areas.
This returns to normalcy follows a temporary suspension of services due to violent attacks on personnel, which raised serious concerns about their safety.
The decision to restart operations took effect on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, after an emergency meeting held by staff in Tamale, which resulted from a series of discussions with key government and security stakeholders. This crucial meeting marked a pivotal moment for utility workers in the region who had momentarily halted their activities in response to a troubling incident involving the assault of staff and the confiscation of operational vehicles by angry youth in Tamale.
The breakthrough came after high-level mediation efforts led by the Minister of Energy, John Abdulai Jinapor. The minister engaged directly with staff leadership, Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive Adam Abubakari Takoro, and security officials from the Northern Region. These talks proved fruitful, leading to firm assurances being made regarding the protection of workers and a commitment to preventing such violent incidents from occurring again in the future.
In the wake of the assault, the Ministry of Interior took swift action by directing the Northern Regional Police Command to ramp up investigations into the attacks, emphasizing the need for the perpetrators to be brought to justice without delay. Furthermore, the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, represented by MCE Takoro, promised to collaborate with local chiefs to issue a public appeal urging residents to refrain from harming NEDCo staff.
Minister Jinapor also committed to further engagements with community leaders, reinforcing the necessity of safeguarding utility personnel in the region. As operations resume, this collaborative effort illustrates the importance of community support and communication in resolving conflicts and ensuring the safety of essential service providers.
With the assurance of protective measures in place, VRA/NEDCo staff are now returning to their vital roles, dedicated to providing reliable electricity services, while the community rallies together to foster an environment where utility workers can operate safely and effectively.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
