The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has declared an indefinite nationwide strike beginning today, November 2, 2026, over the government’s failure to approve the proposed 2026 salary review for staff of the Judicial Service.
The strike, announced in a statement dated October 30 and signed by the Association’s General Secretary, Abdulai Yakubu, will remain in force until the government approves the revised salaries and pays them in November, together with all outstanding arrears from January to October 2026.
JUSAG said the decision followed months of unsuccessful attempts to secure approval for the salary review, which it maintains is required under Article 149 of the 1992 Constitution and Regulation 25 of the Judicial Service (Terms and Conditions of Service) Regulations, 2026 (C.I. 141).
Meanwhile, the Judicial Service has appealed to members of JUSAG to return to work while negotiations continue, assuring them that their concerns are being treated with the seriousness they deserved.
The Service, in a public notice, said it is fully aware of the anxiety the industrial action may cause to persons with matters pending before the courts.
“Management is currently engaged in urgent and active discussions with the relevant Government stakeholders with a view to achieving a swift and amicable resolution of the underlying issues,” the notice said.
It further note that the Judicial Service remains resolute in its commitment to upholding the rule of law and serving the public interest, adding that it will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide timely updates to the public as developments unfold.
Indefinite Strike
The Association said it submitted proposals for the 2026 salary review to the Judicial Council in December 2025. After delays in the process, it subsequently wrote to the Council to expedite its work.
The Judicial Council eventually completed its deliberations and submitted its recommendations to the President for approval.
However, JUSAG said approval from the Office of the President had not been forthcoming despite repeated reminders and appeals. It said the appeals had been heard but had not resulted in any action.
The Association said it had notified the National Labour Commission (NLC) of its intention to embark on an indefinite strike on October 23, giving government and other relevant stakeholders advance notice of the impending action.
However, it expressed disappointment with the response of the labour authorities, particularly the NLC’s decision to direct the parties to report on November 6, four days after the planned commencement of the strike.
JUSAG also criticised the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment for scheduling a meeting with the parties for November 3, a day after the industrial action was expected to begin.
The Association further faulted the Ministry of Finance over a proposal to pay the salary arrears in three instalments without specifying clear timelines.
It said the proposal was issued without consultation with JUSAG, which it described as the principal representative of the affected workers.
JUSAG maintained that the government’s handling of the matter demonstrated a lack of commitment to the welfare of employees of the Judicial Service, whose work keeps the courts operational.
Under the strike directive, all staff of the Judicial Service have been instructed not to report for work from today, Monday, November 2, until the Association’s demands are met.
The Association, however, directed security personnel to remain at their posts to safeguard Judicial Service properties.
Drivers have also been instructed to hand over official vehicles to the Transport Department and refrain from driving official vehicles, judicial officers or judges for the duration of the strike.
Additionally, registrars have been directed not to open, or be compelled to open, any court or registry for official use during the industrial action.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak