Cape Coast Court Complex falls silent as JUSAG strike locks out litigants

An unusual, deafening silence hung over the Cape Coast Court Complex on Monday, as the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) nationwide strike brought judicial activities in the Central Regional capital to a standstill.

When the Ghana News Agency (GNA) visited the facility at about 0800 hours, the three main entrances to the court complex were locked with red bands tied across the gates to signal that the facility was closed to staff, lawyers, litigants and the general public.

Some security personnel were seen hovering on the premises, apparently to prevent unauthorised entry.

The usual bustle of a working court day, lawyers moving between registries, litigants waiting for their cases, clerks attending to files, and security officers directing visitors, was conspicuously absent.

JUSAG declared an indefinite strike effective Monday, November 2, after the government failed to approve the Judicial Council’s recommendations on the 2026 salary review for Judicial Service staff.

The Association had demanded approval of the recommendations by the end of October and payment of the revised salaries in November, together with arrears covering January to October 2026.

It said the delay followed months of engagement since December 2025, when it submitted proposals for the review under Article 149 of the 1992 Constitution and the relevant Judicial Service regulations.

JUSAG argued that although the Judicial Council had completed its work and submitted its advice, it had not received the necessary approval and implementation, leaving members frustrated and demoralised.

The industrial action has affected court operations nationwide, with several courts, including superior and lower courts, forced to close or restrict public access.

At the Cape Coast Court Complex, the closure left some litigants and members of the public stranded outside, unsure when their matters would be heard.

Among them was a 75-year-old man who had travelled from Dunkwa-on-Offin for a chieftaincy case adjourned to Monday, November 02.

The elderly man told the GNA that although he had heard announcements about the impending strike, he was uncertain about it.

He appealed to the government and JUSAG to resolve their differences quickly to prevent innocent citizens from suffering the consequences of the impasse.

The strike also affected traders, particularly egg sellers and other vendors who usually depend on the daily human traffic around the court complex for their livelihood.

Some traders expressed disappointment that the closure would deprive them of customers.

“On a normal court day, people buy eggs, water and food here. Today, I have been sitting here for hours without selling. This strike will affect us,” she said.

The traders called for an early resolution of the disagreement between JUSAG and the government, saying the prolonged closure of the courts would worsen their economic hardships.

Some affected litigants appealed to the government to prioritise the welfare and working conditions of judicial staff to ensure the smooth administration of justice.