By : Hamza Lansah Lolly / Baba Mohammed Issahaq
In a rare public display of anger, the Overlord of Dagbon, His Majesty Ya-Naa Abukari II, on Tuesday, ordered the Minister for Energy, Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor, and his delegation to leave the Gbewaa Palace, cutting short what was meant to be a reconciliatory visit.
The minister had travelled to the palace as part of efforts to defuse mounting tensions between the Dagbon traditional leadership and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), a subsidiary of the Volta River Authority (VRA). However, the meeting quickly soured, ending in an unexpected and public rebuke by the Ya-Naa.
Palace sources say the King was visibly furious, citing two key grievances. First, a controversial remark allegedly made by the Minister, in which he is reported to have said that “50% of Tamale residents are thieves” a comment that has sparked outrage across the Northern Region. Second, ongoing frustration with NEDCo’s operations in the area, including recent mass disconnections and what some residents describe as high-handedness by the company’s Managing Director.
NEDCo has been under growing scrutiny in recent weeks following widespread power disconnections, institutional standoffs, and a staff strike. Many traditional leaders and residents feel the company’s actions are not only inconsiderate but also disrespectful to local authority structures.
Though Hon Jinapor reportedly attempted to issue an apology on behalf of NEDCo, the Ya-Naa refused to accept it. In front of his elders and guests, he firmly asked the delegation to vacate the palace.
The incident has since drawn attention to broader tensions between state institutions and traditional rulers in the north, with calls for improved dialogue, mutual respect, and more culturally sensitive approaches to governance and public service delivery.
