On May 25, 2023, the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) went on strike, leaving court users stranded all over the nation.
On May 24, the Association’s leadership announced an ongoing strike since the government had not complied with JUSAG members’ demands.
JUSAG requests a raise in compensation and the prompt settlement of arrears dating back to January 2023.
The Association stated in an interview with Citi News that it had previously written to President Akufo-Addo requesting that he accept the recommendation of the Judicial Council for a review of salaries and associated allowances for employees of the Judicial Service in accordance with Article 149 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
In light of the nation’s economic woes, they also claimed that they had complained about the Cost of Living Allowance being discontinued in December 2022, but neither the president of the republic nor the NPP government had given them an audience or complied with their demands.
The JUSAG’s statewide strike action has halted the administration of justice. Despite traveling far to attend the courts, several clients who turned up for hearings in Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region, were let down.
In the Western Region, some stranded attorneys and clients who talked with Citi News urged with the government to act quickly to meet the demands of the court staff to provide relief to people seeking judicial services.
JUSAG has also issued a warning to the government to stop harassing employees by threatening to open the courts.