Samuel Afotey Otu
The implementation of reviewed salaries and allowances for Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG), is set to take effect from the end of this month, bringing an end to protracted rounds of negotiations between the association and the government.
JUSAG in a statement signed by its President, Samuel Afotey Otu, said it is reassured by a letter by the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, dated July 13, 2023, which confirms that the President, ‘has approved the new salary structure, and implementation will be done in the month of July 2023 as indicated by the Ministry of Finance at the close of engagement.’
The statement also recognised the commitment of the Chief Justice to see to the passage into law a Judicial Service Regulation (Constitutional Instrument) in accordance with the Article 158(2), 159, and the case of JUSAG vs The Attorney General & 2 Ors (2016).
“We hope that comprehensive work on the CI will bring an end to the biennial strikes associated with salary reviews,” the statement indicated.
It lauded Justice Gertrude Torkornoo for what it described as “good start” and her predecessor, Justice (rtd.) Anin Yeboah for his efforts, adding that, “we shall work with her and management to rebrand the Judicial Service and build upon the success chalked by the judiciary and the judicial service over the years.
It also extended felicitations to President Akufo-Addo, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Labour and Employment Relations, the Office of the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, the Judicial Council, and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission ‘for the journey thus far.’
JUSAG on May 29, 2023, called off its indefinite industrial strike over government’s failure to address grievances concerning their salaries.
The leadership of the Association the previous week declared an indefinite strike until such time that the government approved a new salary scheme approved by the Judicial Council as well issues concerning their arrears.
This brought untold hardship to many litigants across the county as all courts were virtually closed and citizens wondered when they could get their cases heard.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak