Field staff of the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) have suspended all operations in Tamale after a violent attack on personnel on Wednesday, July 30.

The decision was confirmed at an emergency staff meeting held on Thursday, July 31, where a resolution was passed to halt all field activities with immediate effect.

In a statement issued by the leadership of the VRA/NEDCo Staff Groups, the withdrawal of services was described as necessary due to what they called a persistent threat to the lives and safety of workers in the area.

The latest attack involved several staff members who were reportedly ambushed by a group of young men while operating official vehicles. The victims were forcefully pulled out of their cars, beaten with clubs and sticks, and left with serious injuries. Their vehicles were then seized and taken to the Gukpenaa Palace.

“This barbaric act has made both our staff and company property targets of violence,” the statement said, adding that the staff involved were “almost killed.”

The group said the incident is just the latest in a disturbing pattern of violence directed at VRA/NEDCo personnel over the years. They cited the following cases as examples:

1. 2015 – Vandalism of the VRA/NEDCo office by youth.
2. 2016 – Assault on staff in Lamakara during an operation with police to clamp down on illegal connections.
3. 2017 – Tyres of company vehicles deflated and threats issued to staff at Dohinayili.
4. 2019 – Physical attack on staff at Vittin during disconnection of unauthorised streetlights.

The staff say these repeated attacks have created an atmosphere of fear and trauma, especially as little has been done over the years to prevent such incidents.

“We are baffled as to why staff simply performing their lawful duties should be subjected to such brutality,” the statement read.

The group has issued a list of demands to management and relevant authorities, including:

1. That VRA/NEDCo, together with law enforcement, ensure the perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted.
2. An official explanation of how the incident occurred, and firm assurances that such acts will not be tolerated going forward.
3. Immediate retrieval of the seized vehicles from the Gukpenaa Palace.
4. Concrete commitments to guarantee the safety of workers and the protection of company property.

While field operations have been suspended, staff have pledged to remain at their duty posts to carry out administrative work. However, they made it clear that they will not return to the field unless their security is guaranteed.

“Our lives are in danger, and we can no longer risk working under these conditions. We will maintain our stance until further notice,” the statement concluded.