The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has revised its demands in an attempt to end the ongoing strike that has crippled courts across the country. According to JUSAG General Secretary Abdulai Yakubu, the association has watered down its demands in a fresh bid to end the strike. The strike, which began on November 2, 2026, stems from unpaid salaries and unresolved conditions of service for judicial staff.
JUSAG's revised demands, described as the association's "best possible compromise," were conveyed to the Presidency, but the government's response so far has been unsatisfactory. Yakubu stated that the association had outlined its initial demands, waited for feedback, and then revised its position to make it easier for the government to meet them. The revised demands are seen as the furthest JUSAG is willing to go, and the association has warned that members will remain off duty if the government does not accept them.
The industrial action has disrupted court sittings nationwide, with cases stalling in registries and courtrooms across the country. Earlier in the dispute, JUSAG had threatened to pull its members entirely out of the Supreme Court over the impasse. The association's leadership also described the hardship facing some members during the standoff, with one JUSAG official saying workers could not afford transport home after their shifts.
Yakubu's latest comments leave the resumption of normal court operations tied to whether the government accepts the association's revised position. The strike has now entered its second week, with no clear indication of when it will end. JUSAG has not said how much its new demands would cost the government to implement or set a deadline for a response before deciding on further action.
The association's decision to revise its demands comes after it rejected an earlier government offer, which addressed under 20% of its original demands. It is unclear whether the revised demands are the same ones the government had previously responded to or an entirely fresh set drawn up after that rejection. The government has not publicly commented on the revised demands.
The strike has caused significant disruptions to the country's judicial system, with many cases pending. JUSAG's leadership has emphasized that the association is committed to finding a resolution, but its members will continue to stay off the job until their demands are met. The situation remains tense, with both sides yet to reach a compromise.
The outcome of the strike remains uncertain, with the government's response to JUSAG's revised demands yet to be seen. If the government accepts the revised demands, the strike could end soon, but if not, the association has warned that its members will continue to stay off duty. The situation will continue to be monitored as it develops.
Key points
- JUSAG has revised its demands in an attempt to end the ongoing strike.
- The strike has disrupted court sittings nationwide, with cases stalling in registries and courtrooms.
- The association's leadership has emphasized that its members will continue to stay off the job until their demands are met.
