The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has announced it will attend a meeting with the government to discuss its ongoing strike. However, the association maintains it will not compromise on the demands that led to the industrial action. JUSAG's General Secretary, Abdulai Yakubu, stated the association is open to resolving the issue through dialogue. The meeting with the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations is scheduled for November 2.
JUSAG declared an indefinite strike effective November 2, 2026, due to the government's failure to approve the 2026 salary review for Judicial Service staff. The association submitted a proposal to the Judicial Council in December 2025, which concluded its work and submitted its advice to the President for determination. However, approval from the Office of the President was not forthcoming. According to JUSAG, Regulation 25 of C.I. 141 requires an annual review of staff salaries.
Abdulai Yakubu emphasized that JUSAG members are law-abiding citizens who will respect the invitation to meet with the government. However, he stressed that their willingness to engage in dialogue should not be interpreted as a readiness to abandon their demands. Yakubu stated that the concerns raised by the association had not been addressed and argued that the meeting should have been convened much earlier.
The strike follows months of unsuccessful efforts by JUSAG to secure the salary review, as required under Article 149 of the 1992 Constitution and the Judicial Service (Terms and Conditions of Service) Regulations, 2026 (C.I. 141). JUSAG's declaration, dated October 30, 2026, directs all Judicial Service staff not to report for work until its demands are met.
The association's decision to strike has significant implications for Ghana's judicial system. JUSAG's members play a crucial role in the administration of justice, and their absence from work could lead to a backlog of cases and delays in the dispensation of justice. The government has not commented on the strike or the upcoming meeting with JUSAG.
The meeting between JUSAG and the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations is expected to provide a platform for both parties to discuss the association's demands and find a resolution to the impasse. It remains to be seen whether the government will approve the 2026 salary review or offer alternative solutions to address JUSAG's concerns.
The outcome of the meeting could have far-reaching consequences for Ghana's labour relations and the judicial system. If an agreement is reached, it could pave the way for a resolution to the strike and the implementation of the salary review. However, if the meeting fails to yield a solution, JUSAG may be forced to consider further action, including an extension of the strike.
Key points
- JUSAG will honour an invitation to a meeting with government to discuss its ongoing strike but insists it will not compromise on its demands.
- The association's strike follows months of unsuccessful efforts to secure a 2026 salary review for Judicial Service staff.
- The meeting between JUSAG and the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations is scheduled for November 2, 2026.
