A gate turn-off thyristor (GTO) device has a lower portion, an upper portion and a lid. The lower portion has a lower base region of a first conductivity type, and a lower emitter region of a second conductivity type disposed at or from a lower surface of the lower base region. A lower junction is formed between the lower base region and the lower emitter region. The upper portion has an upper base region of the second conductivity type, and upper emitter regions of the first conductivity type disposed at or from an upper surface of the upper base region. An upper-lower junction is formed between the lower base region and the upper base region, and upper junctions are formed between the upper base region and the upper emitter regions. The upper base region and upper emitter regions form an upper base surface with first conductive contacts to the upper base region alternating with second conductive contacts to the upper emitter regions. The lid has a layer of insulator with upper and lower surfaces. Upper metal stripes extend along the upper surface of the insulator, and lower metal stripes extend along the lower surface of the insulator. The upper and lower metal stripes are connected together by vias that extend through the insulator. One set of the lower metal stripes contacts the first conductive contacts, but not the second conductive contacts. Another set of the lower metal stripes contacts the second conductive contacts, but not the first conductive contacts.