Ghana Minority Caucus: Urges Mahama on Judicial Staff Strike Intervention

• The Minority Caucus in Parliament has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene in the ongoing strike by judicial staff.
• The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) and the Senior Staff Association of the Judicial Service of Ghana (SSAJUG) are striking over outstanding 2026 salary review issues.
• The industrial action, ongoing since November 8, 2026, is severely disrupting the administration of justice and causing public hardship.
• Families, businesses, and individuals awaiting court rulings are among those significantly affected by the judicial disruption.
• The Minority Caucus urged high-level government and parliamentary intervention to resolve the dispute and ensure workers' concerns are addressed while restoring public access to justice.

The strike, which commenced due to unresolved issues surrounding the 2026 salary review, has persisted despite multiple rounds of discussions.

The Minority Caucus in Ghana's Parliament has formally urged President John Dramani Mahama to intervene swiftly in the ongoing industrial action initiated by the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) and the Senior Staff Association of the Judicial Service of Ghana (SSAJUG). This appeal, made in a petition dated November 9, 2026, highlights the severe disruption to the administration of justice across the nation, which is causing significant hardship for the general public.

The strike, which commenced due to unresolved issues surrounding the 2026 salary review, has persisted despite multiple rounds of discussions. The Minority Caucus on Employment, Labour Relations and Pensions noted with concern that previous engagements involving the government, Judicial Service management, and the unions have failed to yield a resolution. JUSAG had previously announced on Sunday, November 8, that the strike would continue into Monday, November 9, underscoring the impasse.

The prolonged JUSAG strike Ghana and SSAJUG industrial action is having a profound effect on citizens who rely on the courts for dispute resolution and access to justice. The Minority Caucus emphasized that families awaiting critical custody and property rulings are being impacted, as are businesses attempting to recover debts. Furthermore, individuals whose liberty depends on timely court hearings face indefinite delays, underscoring the broad societal consequences of the Ghana Judicial Service salary review dispute.

While acknowledging the fundamental right of workers to advocate for improved conditions, the parliamentary group stressed that the current situation jeopardizes the efficient functioning of the judiciary. The administration of justice Ghana disruption extends beyond mere inconvenience, potentially undermining public trust in the legal system and exacerbating existing social and economic challenges.

In their appeal to President Mahama, the Minority Caucus specifically requested immediate engagement with the striking unions, a clear plan to address their outstanding concerns, and a definitive strategy to resolve the impasse. They also called upon the Chief of Staff and Jubilee House to coordinate high-level efforts to prevent further delays in reaching a settlement.

Beyond the executive, the Minority Caucus appealed to the Speaker and leadership of Parliament to facilitate urgent discussions and leverage parliamentary oversight to help resolve the situation. They further urged the Chief Justice and Judicial Service management to reaffirm their commitment to staff welfare and intensify dialogue with both the government and the unions. The caucus assured JUSAG and SSAJUG that it would utilize parliamentary engagement, oversight, and public advocacy to push for a fair settlement, aiming for judicial service workers to return to their duties with their concerns addressed and dignity respected, ensuring citizens can access justice without further disruption.

Lawyers and compliance officers in Ghana must anticipate significant delays in court proceedings, including custody, property, debt recovery, and criminal cases, due to the ongoing JUSAG and SSAJUG strike. This necessitates proactive communication with clients regarding potential timeline extensions and adjustments to litigation strategies.

Source: Original reporting via Ghanaian Times