JUSAG continues nationwide strike over salary review demands

The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has entered the second week of an indefinite nationwide strike, effectively halting justice delivery across the country. The industrial action, which commenced on November 2, 2026, was declared to pressure the government into implementing a comprehensive review of salaries and other conditions of service for judicial workers. Despite initial attempts at negotiation, the association maintains that the government has yet to provide a satisfactory roadmap or commitment to addressing their long-standing grievances.

JUSAG General Secretary Abdulai Yakubu revealed that the association had previously revised its demands and made certain concessions to facilitate a smoother negotiation process. However, he noted that the feedback from the government failed to meet the expectations of the membership. According to Yakubu, the association remains resolute in its stance and is prepared to escalate its efforts if the government continues to ignore the plight of judicial staff. The strike has left courtrooms empty and legal proceedings suspended nationwide, causing significant delays for litigants and a growing backlog in the judicial system.

The ongoing labor unrest has drawn sharp criticism from the Minority in Parliament. Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin condemned the government’s handling of the situation, highlighting what he described as a contradiction in official policy. He pointed out that while the government has been a vocal advocate for international reparations for historical wrongs, it has failed to prioritize the immediate welfare of its own domestic workers. Afenyo-Markin emphasized that the strike has completely stalled the justice delivery system, creating a vacuum that undermines the rule of law.

In response to the crisis, Afenyo-Markin has called for the Attorney-General to appear before Parliament to provide an urgent briefing on the status of negotiations and the government's plan to resolve the impasse. The Minority Leader urged the administration to take the concerns of JUSAG seriously to prevent further disruption to the state's legal infrastructure. As of now, the strike remains in full force, with both parties seemingly at an impasse over the financial implications of the proposed salary reviews and improved conditions of service.