Dominic Ayine to engage Cassiel Ato Forson over JUSAG strike

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has pledged to intervene in the ongoing industrial action by the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG). Following a meeting with the association’s leadership, Dr. Ayine committed to engaging Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson to resolve grievances surrounding salary and allowance reviews for the 2026 financial year. The nationwide strike, which began on November 2, has severely disrupted operations across the country’s judicial system, leaving courtrooms empty from the District level to the Supreme Court.

The industrial action was triggered by the government’s perceived inaction on recommended salary adjustments and the non-payment of accrued arrears. During his meeting with the staff union, the Attorney-General emphasized the vital role the judicial service plays in the delivery of justice and the maintenance of the rule of law. He assured JUSAG leadership that their demands would be prioritized during his upcoming discussions with the Finance Ministry, expressing a desire to see a swift end to the stalemate that has left litigants and legal practitioners stranded.

The General Secretary of JUSAG, Abdulai Yakubu, expressed a measure of optimism following the dialogue with the Attorney-General. While the strike remains in full force, Yakubu indicated that the association is awaiting the outcome of the high-level meeting between the two ministers before making further determinations. A final decision on whether to resume work will depend on the concrete proposals and commitments emerging from these upcoming financial deliberations between the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Finance.

As the strike continues, the backlog of cases continues to grow, putting significant pressure on the government to find a fiscal resolution. The engagement between Dr. Ayine and Dr. Forson is seen as a critical step in addressing the 2026 financial year requirements and ensuring the long-term stability of the judiciary. Stakeholders remain hopeful that the intervention of the Attorney-General will provide the necessary impetus for the Finance Ministry to approve the pending salary recommendations and clear all outstanding arrears.