JUSAG strike: Minority urges Chief Justice to stand with staff and defend judicial independence

The Minority has urged the Chief Justice to stand firmly with striking Judicial Service workers and defend the Judiciary’s independence as a dispute over the 2026 salary review continues.

In a statement issued on Monday, November 9, the Minority Caucus on Employment, Labour Relations and Pensions appealed for practical action to protect staff welfare. It warned against allowing the Executive’s interests to take precedence over the Judiciary's.

“An independent Judiciary must not appear to subordinate its institutional interests to the convenience of the Executive. The separation of powers must be demonstrated, not merely declared.”

Frank Asiedu Bekoe, Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Committee on Employment, Labour Relations and Pensions, signed the statement. It was addressed to President John Dramani Mahama.

The appeal follows the ongoing strike by the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG), in collaboration with SSAJUG, over unresolved issues related to the 2026 salary review.

According to the statement, JUSAG announced on Sunday, November 8, that the strike would continue on Monday. Engagements with Judicial Service management and the government had failed to resolve the outstanding issues.

The Minority said workers felt their institution was not standing firmly enough with them. It said they believed the government was giving greater consideration to its position than to their welfare.

“We appeal to the Chief Justice to show, in practical terms, that their welfare and dignity matter.”

The caucus said the Chief Justice did not have to endorse every demand without scrutiny. However, staff concerns deserved fair and serious consideration.

It also highlighted the role of registry and administrative staff, saying the justice system could not function without their work.

“We must never allow the people who keep our justice system running to feel that they themselves have been denied justice.”

The Minority warned that the unresolved dispute was also hurting people awaiting court decisions. It cited custody disputes, property cases, business claims and hearings affecting individual liberty.

It called on the government and relevant ministries, including Finance, to engage JUSAG immediately and provide a credible route to a settlement. It also urged Jubilee House to coordinate the response and Parliament to facilitate urgent engagement.

The caucus appealed to JUSAG and SSAJUG to remain committed to constructive dialogue. It pledged parliamentary oversight and public advocacy to press for a resolution.

“The time for assurances without resolution is over. The time for meaningful action is now.”