The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has threatened to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike from November 2, 2026, if the government fails to approve and pay its members’ reviewed salaries and allowances for 2026.
In a statement of industrial action addressed to the National Labour Commission and copied to key government institutions, JUSAG said the intended action had become necessary due to the government’s failure to conclude the salary review process for Judicial Service staff.
According to the association, the conditions of service of Judicial Service staff, including judicial and executive officers, are governed by Article 149 of the 1992 Constitution and the Judicial Service (Terms and Conditions of Service) Regulations, 2025 (C.I. 141), under which salaries are reviewed annually.
JUSAG explained that following the expiry of the last salary review in December 2025, it requested a review of salaries for 2026 through the Judicial Council, which subsequently submitted its recommendations to the President for determination in line with the law.
The association said delays in concluding the process prompted it to write to the Judicial Council on January 19, 2026, and again on September 10, 2026, urging that the process be expedited.
It added that it also made several public appeals to both management and government during major gatherings, including its Second Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference in Tamale, the 45th AMJG Conference in Accra, and the Chief Justice’s Staff Durbar in Tamale.
However, JUSAG said its efforts had not produced the desired outcome.
“My Lord, these appeals have been met with only assurance. We are yet to see any concrete step by the Government towards approving the recommendations of the Judicial Council and paying the reviewed salaries to staff of the Judicial Service,” the association stated.
JUSAG noted that while workers in other public sector institutions had their 2026 salary reviews approved and paid in January 2026, Judicial Service staff were still awaiting implementation nearly ten months into the year.
“We are now in the tenth month of the year, and our members are still waiting — patiently, but no longer quietly. This situation has heightened tension and dampened morale among staff of the Judicial Service,” it said in the statement signed by General Secretary, Abdulai Yakubu.
The association further expressed concern that although organised labour had already begun negotiations on the base pay for 2027, Judicial Service staff were yet to receive their reviewed base pay and allowances for 2026.
JUSAG said it had exercised restraint despite growing frustrations among members because of the potential impact industrial action could have on justice delivery and national security.
“Mindful of the consequences of industrial action for justice delivery and, by extension, national security, we have consistently prevailed upon our aggrieved members to exercise restraint while we work with Management towards the prompt approval and payment of the reviewed salaries,” the statement said.
The National Executive Council (NEC) of JUSAG has consequently demanded the approval of the Judicial Council’s recommendations on the 2026 salary review by the end of October 2026 and the payment of the reviewed salaries, including arrears from January to October 2026, in November 2026.
It warned that failure to meet the demands by November 1, 2026, would trigger industrial action.
“The NEC of JUSAG has further resolved that, if the demands are not met by Sunday, 1st November, 2026, JUSAG shall declare an indefinite strike commencing on Monday, 2nd November, 2026, and the strike shall remain in force until the demands are met,” the association stated.
