JUSAG Strike Continues Despite Government Approval of Salary Arrears; Courts Remain Disrupted

The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has maintained its indefinite nationwide strike despite government approval for the payment of outstanding salary and allowance arrears covering January to October 2026.

The industrial action, which commenced on Monday, November 2, has disrupted court proceedings across the country, leaving litigants, lawyers and other court users unable to access several judicial facilities.

The latest development follows a decision by the Ministry of Finance to approve the payment of ten months’ arrears in two instalments, in a move aimed at addressing part of the concerns raised by the association.

However, JUSAG says the government’s intervention does not sufficiently address its demands, insisting that members will remain on strike until a revised and improved approval is received.

Why JUSAG Declared the Strike

The strike stems from a prolonged disagreement between the association and government over the implementation of the 2026 salary review and related allowances for Judicial Service employees.

JUSAG General Secretary, Abdulai Yakubu, announced the industrial action at a press conference at the Supreme Court on Friday, October 30, after the association said its attempts to secure the necessary approvals had failed.

According to the association, the salary review process began in December 2025, when it submitted proposals to the Judicial Council to facilitate the review of salaries and conditions of service.

The Judicial Council subsequently completed its work and submitted recommendations to President John Dramani Mahama for approval in accordance with Article 149 of the 1992 Constitution and the Judicial Service (Terms and Conditions of Service) Regulations, 2025, also known as C.I. 141.

JUSAG claims the approval process experienced prolonged delays despite several reminders and appeals to the relevant authorities.

The association says the delay has created financial difficulties for its members, whose revised salaries and allowances have remained outstanding for much of 2026.

It argues that while other public sector workers received their 2026 salary adjustments earlier in the year, Judicial Service employees were still waiting for the implementation of their revised conditions of service.

The association consequently gave government until October 30 to approve the recommendations and ensure payment of the revised salaries in November, together with arrears covering January to October.

When the deadline expired without what JUSAG considered satisfactory action, its National Executive Council resolved to embark on an indefinite strike from November 2.

Key Issues at the Centre of the JUSAG Strike

Government Reaction: Finance Ministry Approves Arrears Payment

The government has responded to the strike through the Ministry of Finance, which has approved the payment of outstanding salary and allowance arrears owed to Judicial Service staff and members of the Lower Court Bench.

In a letter dated November 2, 2026, and signed by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the ministry authorised the payment of the arrears in two instalments.

The Finance Ministry explained that President John Dramani Mahama had approved the implementation of new conditions of service for Judicial Service staff and members of the Lower Court Bench, effective January 1, 2026, pursuant to Article 149 of the 1992 Constitution.

The ministry also directed the Controller and Accountant-General to give effect to the payment arrangement.

The approval represents a significant government response to the dispute, particularly regarding the payment of the outstanding arrears.

Why the Government’s Intervention Has Not Ended the Strike

Despite the Finance Ministry’s approval, JUSAG has rejected the payment arrangement as insufficient to resolve the dispute.

Deputy General Secretary of the association, Joyce Assan, said the union had taken note of the government’s announcement but maintained that the payment of arrears was only one component of its demands.

She stressed that the government had not adequately addressed all the issues surrounding the revised salary review and related allowances.

The association has therefore insisted that the strike will continue until it receives a revised and improved government approval that satisfies its demands.

JUSAG’s position suggests that the dispute is not simply about the payment of outstanding money but also about the terms and extent of the salary review.

The association has further indicated that it expects meaningful engagement with government and the Judicial Service management before its National Executive Council decides on the next steps.

National Labour Commission’s Intervention

The National Labour Commission (NLC) had earlier intervened in an attempt to prevent the strike.

In a letter dated October 26, 2026, the commission directed the Minister for Jobs, Labour and Employment Relations to lead discussions between JUSAG and the relevant government stakeholders.

The NLC also advised the association to suspend the intended industrial action under Section 161 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).

The commission requested that the parties submit a report on the negotiations by November 6, 2026.

However, JUSAG criticised the timeline, arguing that the reporting deadline fell four days after the strike was scheduled to begin.

The association also expressed dissatisfaction with the timing and composition of the proposed meetings, insisting that the Office of the President, which it considers central to the approval process, should be directly involved.

The failure to reach a resolution before November 2 ultimately led to the commencement of the strike.

Judicial Service Management Appeals for Return to Work

Management of the Judicial Service has also appealed to JUSAG members to suspend the strike and return to work while negotiations continue.

In a memorandum dated October 31, management acknowledged the frustrations of staff over the salary review impasse.

It said it was engaged in high-level, good-faith negotiations with relevant government stakeholders to secure a fair and sustainable resolution.

Judicial Secretary Musah Ahmed subsequently confirmed that the matter was receiving urgent attention under the leadership of the Chief Justice.

Management expressed concern about the impact of the strike on litigants, legal practitioners and other court users, while appealing for patience and cooperation.

However, the appeals have so far failed to convince JUSAG to suspend the industrial action.

Impact of the Strike on Justice Delivery

The indefinite strike has significantly disrupted judicial activities across Ghana.

Reports from Accra on November 2 indicated that several court facilities had been deserted, with court gates closed and security personnel remaining on duty.

At the Law Court Complex, the gates to approximately 42 High Courts were reportedly closed, while the Supreme Court and several Circuit and District Courts also experienced disruptions.

The strike has created difficulties for litigants whose cases were scheduled for hearing, as well as lawyers and other individuals requiring court services.

The disruption could also affect:

• Bail applications and hearings involving remand prisoners.

• Arraignment of suspects within the constitutionally stipulated 48-hour period.

• Civil and criminal proceedings.

• Filing and processing of court documents.

• The speedy trial of pending cases, including high-profile matters.

The longer the strike continues, the greater the potential for a backlog of cases and delays in the administration of justice.

The Ghana News Agency and Graphic Online have reported disruptions at court premises, with litigants unable to access facilities or proceed with scheduled cases.

What Happens Next?

The immediate focus is on whether the ongoing engagements between JUSAG, Judicial Service management and government will produce a revised agreement acceptable to the association.

The Finance Ministry’s approval of the arrears payment schedule could provide a foundation for negotiations, but the union’s insistence on improved salary review terms remains a major obstacle.

The Labour Ministry’s engagement with JUSAG, following the NLC’s intervention, is also expected to play a critical role in resolving the impasse.

For now, court users across the country face uncertainty as the industrial action continues.

The dispute has highlighted the importance of timely implementation of conditions of service for public sector workers, as well as the need to balance employees’ legitimate demands with the public interest in uninterrupted justice delivery.

Until the parties reach a mutually acceptable agreement, the nationwide strike remains in force

Related posts:

Gh@60: All must be empowered – Nana Oye Lithur Ghana Charismatic Bishops’ Conference calls JHS, SHS inferior; wants reintroduction of ‘O’, ‘A’ levels: Read their argument… Galamsey worrying – Veep Savelugu-Nanton Riots: MCE back at work under 24/7 security as police sniffs out ring leaders Photos: Prempeh boys make triumphant entry into campus after NSMQ17 heroics Free SHS ‘most important social intervention’ – Organised Labour commends ‘The Girl in a cage’: Meet 26-year-old caged ‘disabled Mukayatu’ NAM 1 returns home tomorrow