The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has declared an indefinite strike effective *Monday, November 2, 2026*, over government’s failure to approve the 2026 salary review for staff of the Judicial Service.
The declaration, contained in a statement dated October 30, 2026, and signed by General Secretary Abdulai Yakubu for and on behalf of the National Executive Council, directs all staff of the Judicial Service not to report for work from Monday until its demands are met.
JUSAG said the action follows months of unsuccessful efforts since December 2025 to secure the review, as required under Article 149 of the 1992 Constitution and the Judicial Service (Terms and Conditions of Service) Regulations, 2026 (C.I. 141).
According to the Association, Regulation 25 of C.I. 141 requires annual review of staff salaries. JUSAG submitted a proposal to the Judicial Council in December 2025, the Council concluded its work and submitted its advice to the President for determination, but approval from the Office of the President was not forthcoming.
“JUSAG was compelled to write yet another reminder, in which we cautioned plainly that further delay would jeopardise industrial harmony in the Judicial Service. That caution went unheeded,” the statement said.
The Association said it used several platforms, including its 2nd Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference in Tamale in August 2026, the 45th AMJG Conference in Accra in September 2026, and the Chief Justice’s Staff Durbar in Tamale in September 2026, to appeal to Management and Government, but the appeals were not answered.
As frustration grew, the National Executive Council resolved to demand:
a. Approval of the recommendations of the Judicial Council on the 2026 salary review by 30th October, 2026; and
b. Payment of the reviewed salaries in November, 2026, together with arrears from January to October, 2026.
It further resolved that should the demands not be met by Sunday, November 1, 2026, an indefinite strike would commence on Monday, November 2.
JUSAG said it formally notified the National Labour Commission (NLC) on Friday, October 23, 2026, copying the Minister for Jobs, Labour and Employment Relations, the Minister for Finance, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, the Executive Secretary to the President, and the Judicial Secretary.
The Association expressed disappointment at the handling of the matter after the notice, accusing the Ministry of Labour of waiting until October 26 to act, and only after a directive from the NLC to convene a meeting.
It also faulted the NLC for directing the parties to report back by November 6, 2026 — four days after the strike would have begun — despite being aware of the October 30 approval deadline and the November 2 strike date.
“We find this deeply regrettable. Whatever its intention, its effect is to frustrate the lawful steps JUSAG has taken to secure the legitimate entitlements of our members,” the statement said.
JUSAG further said the Labour Ministry fixed its meeting for Tuesday, November 3, 2026, knowing the strike takes effect on November 2.
“This is not the conduct of a Government that takes the welfare of its workers seriously,” it said.
The Association also rejected a letter from the Ministry of Finance which it said fell short of its demands and proposed that arrears be split into three instalments with no clarity on timelines, without consultation with JUSAG.
“It has therefore become clear to us that Government is not committed to meeting the legitimate demands of the staff of the Judicial Service, who serve the third arm of Government,” it said.
“The handling of this matter betrays a troubling insensitivity to the plight of the men and women who keep our courts running. In this current dispensation, no staff of the third arm of Government should be subjected to such hopelessness.”
According to the declaration, the NEC took the decision after consultation with the Senior Staff Association (SSAJUG) and all key stakeholders.
“Let it be clear: the leadership of JUSAG takes this decision with a heavy heart but a clear conscience. We have exhausted every avenue of dialogue and given Government every opportunity to do what the law requires. We do not seek confrontation; we seek only what the Constitution and C.I. 141 already guarantee,” the statement added.
Directives for the strike:
JUSAG directed that all staff should not report for work unless and until the President complies with Article 149 and C.I. 141 by approving the new salaries and paying them in November with all arrears from January to October.
However, security staff are to remain at post to safeguard properties, all drivers are to hand over official vehicles to the Transport Department and not drive any official vehicle, officer or Judge for the duration, and no Registrar shall open or be compelled to open any registry or court.
Regional Executive Board and Committee members are to monitor compliance, while any staff pressured or threatened by Management to report for duty should decline and report to JUSAG.
“An injustice against one member is an injustice against all, and JUSAG will respond collectively and decisively, through every lawful means available to us,” the Association warned.
“Stand firm, stand together, and stand united. Let us go home, and return only when our demands are met,” the statement concluded.
