Court users stranded as Kumasi High Court and other lower courts shut down over JUSAG strike

Court users seeking various services have been left stranded at court premises in Kumasi as critical staff of the judiciary lay down their tools over their 2026 salary review and outstanding arrears.

The Kumasi High Court and other lower courts in the Ashanti region, like in many parts of the country, have been shut down as the ongoing industrial action by the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) brings the judiciary to its knees.

A tour of the Kumasi High Court, the Court of Appeal, the Asokwa Circuit Court and the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) Court confirmed that the facilities were closed with no judiciary staff around but a handful of persons seeking legal services.

Some clients who had cases scheduled for hearing today, Monday, November 2, arrived at the court premises only to find the gates locked and adorned with red cloth announcing the strike.

One of the affected persons, Joyce Konama, whose case was scheduled for judgment at the High Court on Monday, expressed her frustration.

Madam Konama noted that she was unaware of the strike and had travelled a considerable distance to attend the proceedings only to meet empty courtrooms.

“I didn’t know they were on strike today, and I am very worried after travelling all the way from my town to find the court closed. The government should fast-track negotiations on their conditions of service,” she said.

Speaking to Joy News, some of the affected court users appealed to the government to prioritise the welfare and conditions of service of judicial service staff to ensure the smooth administration of justice.

“If this strike continues for days, things will escalate in this country,” some of the clients warned.