In a dramatic turn of events, Energy Minister John Abdulai Jinapor and his delegation were reportedly refused an audience and asked to leave the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi by the Overlord of Dagbon, Ya Naa Abukari II. The incident occurred as the Minister was in the Northern Region to address escalating tensions over prolonged power outages.
The delegation’s attempt to meet with the Ya Naa was met with a firm refusal, with the regent reportedly declining to entertain any discussions until electricity supply is fully restored to the affected communities. Neither the Energy Ministry nor the Gbewaa Palace has yet issued an official statement regarding the incident.
Sources within the palace indicate that the Ya Naa expressed profound displeasure over the persistent power instability and outages that have left large parts of Tamale and its environs in darkness for weeks. Videos circulating on social media purportedly show the Minister’s team being turned away, amplifying the public’s awareness of the unfolding situation.
“The Minister was told in clear terms that the Palace would not grant an audience while Tamale sits in darkness. Dagbon deserves better,” a palace insider revealed, underscoring the traditional authority’s strong stance on the matter.
The incident serves as a clear message from the Dagbon traditional authority, highlighting the severe impact of the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo)’s suspended operations on local communities and the growing frustration among residents.