JUSAG maintains strike over inadequate government wage offer

The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has resolved to continue its nationwide industrial action after rejecting a revised government wage offer, which the association claims addresses less than 20 percent of its total demands. General Secretary Abdulai Yakubu confirmed that while the new proposal showed slight improvements over previous offers, it remains insufficient to address deep-seated grievances regarding salary arrears and service conditions. The strike, which began on November 2, 2026, has brought court activities across the country to a standstill, leaving many litigants and legal professionals in a state of uncertainty.

According to Yakubu, the core of the dispute lies in the government's failure to approve the Judicial Council's recommendations for revised conditions of service. He emphasized that judicial workers are held to exceptionally high professional standards—including strict dress codes and a zero-tolerance policy for receiving gifts—yet their remuneration fails to reflect these responsibilities. In some instances, staff entitled to GH₵3,000 are reportedly receiving only GH₵1,500, a disparity that JUSAG argues is untenable given the rising cost of living and the integrity required for their roles.

The ongoing strike has significantly hampered the delivery of justice, affecting everyone from remand prisoners to citizens seeking urgent legal intervention. Yakubu cited a particularly distressing case involving a litigant who requires court documentation to facilitate a life-saving kidney transplant but is unable to obtain it due to the closure of court offices. While the Ministry of Finance has proposed settling salary arrears through installments, JUSAG insists that the formal approval of the Judicial Council’s advice regarding 2026 salary reviews remains a non-negotiable precondition for returning to work.

Despite the stalemate, JUSAG has submitted a fresh proposal to the government and expressed a willingness to engage in further dialogue. The Attorney General has reportedly agreed to discuss these latest demands with the Finance Minister to find a resolution. Meanwhile, public figures like Richard Ahiagbah have urged both parties to reach a compromise quickly, warning that a prolonged suspension of judicial services risks undermining the rule of law and the fundamental rights of Ghanaians awaiting trial or rulings.