Tensions have escalated in the Tamale Metropolis following a violent attack on staff of the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. The assault, reportedly carried out by some aggrieved youth, was in protest against recent staff reassignments by NEDCo management.

According to a statement issued by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the VRA Senior Staff Association, several staff members were "beaten to a pulp," and three official vehicles were seized and taken to the Gukpe Naa’s Palace.

The incident is believed to be linked to the reassignment of a Director from the Human Resources Department to the Corporate Strategy Department, which has reportedly sparked unrest among some factions in Tamale.

Despite a formal complaint filed on the day of the incident, the staff union expressed concern that no arrests have been made by the Ghana Police Service.

The statement further revealed that the reassigned Director allegedly petitioned local traditional leaders, including the Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari II, to intervene in what he described as a demotion and an attempt to transfer him out of Tamale.

The Director is also alleged to have claimed that his reassignment was driven by ethnic bias, asserting that his role in employing over 37 Dagombas was the source of friction with the Acting Managing Director.

The NEC, however, strongly refuted these claims, describing them as "complete lies and obvious untruths" and warned against tribalizing routine corporate decisions.

“This is not the first time directors have been reassigned at VRA/NEDCo,” the Association stressed, citing previous examples to demonstrate that reassignments are normal practice aimed at advancing corporate strategy and performance.

They also condemned the public dissemination of the reassigned Director's official letter on local media platforms, including Zaa TV and TikTok, labelling it a breach of corporate ethics.

The union raised alarm over alleged instructions from some chiefs to the Acting Managing Director to reverse the reassignments, warning that such interference would undermine management authority and jeopardise governance within NEDCo.

As a precaution, VRA/NEDCo staff in Tamale have resolved to withdraw all services within the metropolis to safeguard their lives.

The NEC has issued three key demands:

Immediate arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.

Retrieval of the three seized vehicles from the Gukpe Naa’s Palace.

Full enforcement of the reassignments without interference.

The staff leadership has also called on the Minister for Energy, Mr John Jinapor, to intervene to ensure the reassignments stand and that the safety of their colleagues is guaranteed.

“We would have no option but to advise ourselves if the reassignment is not respected,” the union warned, hinting at possible escalated action if the situation is not resolved swiftly.