JUSAG Strike Ghana November 2026: Judicial Staff Begin Indefinite Action

• The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) declared an indefinite strike starting November 2, 2026.
• The strike is due to the government's failure to approve the 2026 salary review and pay arrears from January to October 2026.
• JUSAG initiated the salary review process in December 2025, based on Article 149 of the 1992 Constitution and C.I. 141.
• The Judicial Council submitted recommendations to President John Dramani Mahama, but approval has been delayed by the Office of the President.
• JUSAG expressed dissatisfaction with the National Labour Commission's intervention and a Ministry meeting, citing a lack of presidential representation.

This impending JUSAG strike Ghana November 2026 is poised to cause widespread Ghana court delays strike across the nation's judicial system.

The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has announced an indefinite strike set to commence on Monday, November 2, 2026. This significant action, which will see all Judicial Service staff directed to remain home, stems from the government's failure to approve the 2026 salary review for its members. The association's leadership has made it clear that the strike will persist until their demands are fully met and further directives are issued.

JUSAG's core demands include the immediate approval of salary recommendations by October 30, 2026, followed by the payment of these revised salaries in November. Crucially, they also seek the settlement of salary arrears covering the period from January to October 2026. This impending JUSAG strike Ghana November 2026 is poised to cause widespread Ghana court delays strike across the nation's judicial system.

The current impasse follows an extended period of unsuccessful negotiations and engagements between JUSAG and various government authorities. The process for the Judicial Service Staff Association Ghana strike began in December 2025, when JUSAG submitted comprehensive proposals to the Judicial Council. These proposals were intended to facilitate the annual review of salaries and conditions of service for judicial staff, a procedure mandated by the nation's legal framework.

This review process is grounded in Article 149 of the 1992 Constitution Ghana and further detailed by the Judicial Service (Terms and Conditions of Service) Regulations, 2025 (C.I. 141). Following its review, the Judicial Council completed its work and forwarded its recommendations to President John Dramani Mahama for final determination. However, significant delays in securing the necessary approval from the Office of the President have been a central point of contention, prompting JUSAG to issue repeated reminders and appeals to the government.

Throughout the year, JUSAG intensified its efforts to secure the approval of the Ghana Judicial Service salary arrears and the JUSAG salary review 2026. The association sent reminders to the Judicial Council to expedite the process, and its leadership raised the issue at multiple high-profile forums. These included the Second Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference in Tamale, where the Chief of Staff reportedly assured members that their concerns would be conveyed to the Office of the President for swift approval.

Further appeals were made during the Chief Justice's Staff Durbar at the Tema High Court and at the recently concluded Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana (AMJG) Conference in Accra. Despite these persistent efforts and assurances, JUSAG reported that the desired outcomes were not achieved. This lack of progress fueled growing frustration among its members, culminating in an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council, which ultimately resolved to issue the October 30 ultimatum.

On October 23, JUSAG formally notified the National Labour Commission (NLC) of its intention to proceed with an indefinite strike if its deadline was not met. However, the association expressed strong dissatisfaction with the NLC's subsequent intervention. The NLC had directed the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations to convene a meeting with relevant stakeholders and submit a report by November 6. JUSAG criticized this reporting deadline, noting it extended beyond their critical October 30 ultimatum.

Furthermore, JUSAG voiced concerns regarding the Ministry's invitation to a meeting that notably excluded a representative from the Office of the President. The association highlighted that the Office of the President holds the constitutional authority to grant final approval for the proposed salary recommendations, rendering any discussions without its direct involvement potentially ineffective. The absence of this key party underscored JUSAG's belief that the intervention lacked the necessary authority to resolve the dispute.

Lawyers and compliance officers in Ghana should anticipate significant disruptions to court proceedings, case filings, and other judicial administrative functions starting November 2, 2026, due to the indefinite JUSAG strike. This will necessitate adjusting litigation strategies, managing client expectations regarding timelines, and potentially seeking alternative dispute resolution mechanisms or extensions for statutory deadlines affected by the closure of judicial services.

Source: Original reporting via Myjoyonline.com