Ghana Courts Resume Sittings as JUSAG Suspends Strike

All courts across Ghana resumed normal sittings on Tuesday, November 10, following the suspension of the industrial action by the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) and the Senior Staff Association of the Judicial Service of Ghana (SSAJUG). The unions had been on strike, pressuring the government to revise their conditions of service. A press release dated November 9 announced the suspension of the strike after productive discussions between the leadership of the associations and the management of the Judicial Service.

The Judicial Service apologized for the disruption to its operations, conveying its regrets to the President, the Executive, Parliament, the legal profession, and the general public. The service expressed its sincerest apologies for the undue inconvenience experienced during the period of the strike. The unions had been demanding that the President ensure the revised conditions of service submitted by the Judicial Council be reflected in full in the final approval.

JUSAG General Secretary Abdulai Yakubu addressed the media on Monday, November 9, stating that the President's approval of the revised conditions of service fell short of the provisions in Constitutional Instrument 141 (CI 141). Yakubu explained that the disagreement arose from the President's selective approval of the conditions, rather than the full implementation recommended by the Judicial Council.

The strike was called off after JUSAG and the government reached a mutual understanding. The unions had been pressing for the government to revise its conditions of service to ensure they are in line with the laws. The resumption of court sittings brings relief to court users who depend on the courts for services.

According to Yakubu, the President's approval did not conform with the provisions of CI 141, and JUSAG had indicated that the President's approval should be revised to meet the requirements of the law. The unions had been seeking to address the discrepancies in their conditions of service.

The suspension of the strike came after a meeting between JUSAG and the government, where an indication was given that a communication would be sent and a meeting would be held to address the unions' demands. JUSAG had stated that it would call off its ongoing strike only if its concerns were addressed.

The resumption of court sittings marks a return to normalcy for Ghana's judicial system, which had been disrupted by the strike. The Judicial Service has assured the public that it will work to prevent future disruptions and ensure the smooth operation of the courts.

Key points

• JUSAG and SSAJUG suspended their industrial action after reaching a mutual understanding with the Judicial Service management.
• The strike was called off after the government agreed to address the unions' demands regarding their conditions of service.
• The resumption of court sittings brings relief to court users who depend on the courts for services.