Ghana's Judicial Service Staff Union Suspends Strike

The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) and the Senior Staff Association of the Judicial Service of Ghana (SSAJUG) have suspended their indefinite strike, effective Tuesday, November 10, 2026. The decision was made after the leadership of both unions received official correspondence from the Office of the President regarding outstanding issues on salary reviews and related allowances for Judicial Service staff.

According to a joint statement signed by JUSAG National President, Samuel Afotey Otu, and SSAJUG National President, Marilyn E. M. Suttah, the leadership held a meeting with Management, led by the Chief Justice of the Republic, to consider the revised approval issued by the Government. The unions stated that the revised position of the Government largely addressed the outstanding issues, leading to the suspension of the strike.

The strike, which began on November 2, 2026, was called over the Government's failure to approve and pay reviewed salaries and allowances for JUSAG members. The union had declared an indefinite nationwide strike on October 30, 2026, directing all Judicial Service staff not to report for work until the President approved the reviewed salaries and paid them in November, together with arrears covering January to October 2026.

JUSAG based its demand on Article 149 of the 1992 Constitution and the Judicial Service (Terms and Conditions of Service) Regulations, C.I. 141, which provide for an annual salary review on the advice of the Judicial Council. The association had notified the National Labour Commission (NLC) on October 23 of its intention to strike, after efforts since December 2025 to secure the 2026 salary review had yielded no results.

The strike drew concern over access to justice, with the Centre for Legitimacy and Rule of Law (CLRL) estimating that more than 2,000 people arrested since the strike began had been unable to obtain judicial decisions on their bail or remand status. The Minority Caucus in Parliament had also urged President John Dramani Mahama to personally intervene to resolve the dispute.

The unions commended President Mahama, Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, and other stakeholders for their dedicated leadership, which led to the resolution of the impasse. They also thanked all staff for their support throughout the strike and the media for their professional reportage on the industrial action.

With the suspension, court staff are expected to return to work on Tuesday, November 10, while the unions await finalisation of the commitments from the Presidency. The suspension brings an end to a week-long shutdown of the courts that began on Monday, November 2, 2026.

Key points

• The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana and the Senior Staff Association of the Judicial Service of Ghana suspended their strike after receiving assurances from the government on salary reviews and allowances.
• The strike, which began on November 2, 2026, was called over the government's failure to approve and pay reviewed salaries and allowances for Judicial Service staff.
• The suspension was announced on November 9, 2026, with court staff expected to return to work on November 10, 2026.