The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, was turned away from the Gbewaa Palace on Tuesday, August 5, as tensions deepened over the ongoing suspension of field operations by the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo).
The Minister’s visit was part of a diplomatic effort to engage the Overlord of Dagbon, following recent friction between the utility company and traditional authorities in the region.
According to media reports, the Overlord refused to grant the delegation an audience, insisting that electricity must first be restored to all affected communities before any discussions could take place.
NEDCo has come under intense criticism in recent weeks for cutting power supply to parts of Tamale, including key traditional areas.
The company has also been accused of disrespecting the Dagbon traditional leadership. The power cuts, which have lasted several days in some communities, have sparked public outrage and protests across the city.
In its defence, NEDCo has cited security concerns, claiming that field staff have been threatened and obstructed in the course of their duties.
“We had no choice but to suspend operations to protect our personnel,” a spokesperson for the company said.
However, the standoff continues to strain relations between the power distributor and the traditional authorities, with calls mounting for swift resolution and restoration of electricity services.
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