The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has maintained its ongoing strike, insisting that the government must approve the Judicial Council’s advice on its revised conditions of service before the association will consider calling off the industrial action.
The association’s General Secretary, Abdulai Yakubu, said approval of the substantive advice remained a non-negotiable precondition for ending the strike, despite renewed engagements with government officials to resolve the dispute.
Speaking on Channel One Newsroom on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, Mr Yakubu said the association had consulted the Judicial Council, which maintained its position on the matter.
“We have made our position clear that approval of the substantive advice is the pre-condition for calling off the strike. But we consulted with the Judicial Council today, and that is the position that the Council still maintains,” he stated.
He disclosed that JUSAG had held several meetings with key stakeholders, including the Chief Justice, Judicial Service Management, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, and the Attorney-General, as part of efforts to resolve the impasse.
According to him, discussions with the Attorney-General were particularly encouraging because of his involvement in the process that produced the conditions of service instrument.
Mr Yakubu said the Attorney-General had demonstrated a better understanding of the association’s concerns and assured them that he would engage the Finance Minister to discuss how their outstanding demands could be addressed.
JUSAG rejects payment arrangement without substantive approval
The General Secretary explained that the association’s immediate concern was to secure revised approval reflecting the Judicial Council’s advice before considering arrangements for the payment of outstanding salary arrears.
He clarified that JUSAG was not necessarily opposed to the Finance Minister’s proposed two-installment payment arrangement but maintained that the substantive approval must first be resolved.
He argued that setting payment timelines without addressing the underlying disagreement would not provide a lasting solution.
“You give timelines for payment of arrears based on the substantive approval. When there are issues with the substantive approval, and you go to give timelines for payment of the arrears, you are not really solving the issues,” he said.
Association says government has delayed for 11 months
Mr Yakubu further disclosed that JUSAG had engaged the government for approximately 10 months before resorting to industrial action.
He said the association had demonstrated patience and goodwill throughout the negotiations but had yet to secure the approval and fulfilment of its demands.
“We have shown that empathy and good faith for 10 months, we’re in the 11th month. We still don’t have our demands,” he stated.
He called on the government to demonstrate greater urgency in resolving the dispute and addressing the concerns of Judicial Service workers.
Strike disrupts court operations
The ongoing industrial action has disrupted Judicial Service operations, affecting court proceedings and individuals seeking access to justice.
Mr Yakubu acknowledged the difficulties facing litigants and remand prisoners as a result of the strike but maintained that the responsibility for resolving the impasse rested on the government.
He appealed to the authorities to address the association’s concerns to enable the Judicial Service to resume normal operations.
JUSAG’s position remains that the government’s approval of the Judicial Council’s substantive advice on the revised conditions of service must precede any decision to call off the strike.
