The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has announced an indefinite nationwide strike, effective Monday, November 2, 2026. The decision was made due to the government's failure to approve and pay reviewed salaries and allowances for its members. General Secretary of JUSAG, Abdulai Yakubu, made the announcement at a press conference held at the Supreme Court on Friday, October 30, 2026.
According to Mr. Yakubu, the strike is a result of the government's inaction despite JUSAG's efforts to secure a salary review for 2026. He stated that the association had notified the National Labour Commission (NLC) on October 23, of its intention to embark on an indefinite strike. The notification outlined efforts made since December 2025 to secure a salary review, but those efforts had yielded no results.
Mr. Yakubu directed 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. He also instructed security staff to remain at their posts to safeguard the Service's properties during the strike. Additionally, drivers were told to hand over official vehicles to the Transport Department, and registrars were not to open any registry or court for official business during the industrial action.
The General Secretary urged staff who were pressured or threatened by Management to report to work or perform official duties during the strike to decline and immediately report such incidents to JUSAG. He stated that the Association would respond collectively and through lawful means to any attempt to intimidate or coerce its members. Mr. Yakubu also criticised the Ministry responsible for employment for failing to act until October 26, when the NLC directed it to convene a meeting of the parties to resolve the matter.
The NLC had scheduled the parties to report back on November 6, four days after the strike was due to begin. The Ministry of Jobs, Labour and Employment had also scheduled a meeting for November 3, after the commencement of the strike. Mr. Yakubu criticised a proposal by the Ministry of Finance to pay the outstanding arrears in three instalments without specifying a payment timeline.
The government's handling of the matter had left JUSAG disappointed, with members exercising patience and making several efforts to secure their legitimate entitlements. Mr. Yakubu stated that the association had been patient, reasonable, and had gone the extra mile, but their patience had been taken for granted. The strike is set to affect the operations of the Judicial Service, with JUSAG calling on the government to approve the reviewed salaries and pay the arrears.
The stakeholders, including the Ministers of Jobs, Labour and Employment, and Finance, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, the Executive Secretary to the President, and the Judicial Secretary, were fully aware of the Association's concerns. JUSAG's decision to embark on an indefinite strike is a result of the government's failure to address their demands, and the association is prepared to take collective action to secure their entitlements.
Key points
- JUSAG declares indefinite nationwide strike from November 2 over unpaid salaries
- The strike affects Judicial Service staff, with security staff remaining on duty
- The government had been criticised for its handling of the matter, with JUSAG disappointed by the lack of progress
