Accra, June 24, 2025 — Jurors at the Accra High Court are weighing a formal petition to the Office of the Attorney General (AG) over the government’s failure to pay their allowances, which has led to a near month-long strike, stalling several criminal trials across the capital.
The jurors, who say they have not been paid for the past eight months, claim they have received no formal communication from the Judicial Service regarding the cause of the delay or any resolution timeline.
Speaking to Citi News, Joshua Alorgbey, spokesperson for the striking jurors, said the group is growing increasingly frustrated with the silence from official quarters.
“We have still not heard from the Judicial Service. We are still waiting to hear from them, so we advise ourselves,” Alorgbey said.
He hinted at plans to escalate the matter to the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, although no firm decision has been taken yet.
“We wanted to approach the Attorney General. He might be aware, though, but we wanted to visit his outfit and, if possible, take it further,” he added.
Alorgbey noted that while the jurors remain open to engagement, continued delays could further compromise the justice system, especially in serious criminal cases that require jury participation under Ghanaian law.
The strike, which began nearly a month ago, has already forced multiple adjournments in high-profile trials, drawing concern from legal practitioners, human rights advocates, and the families of accused persons awaiting trial.
Impact on the Justice System
Ghana’s criminal justice system relies on juries for capital and certain first-degree criminal cases, including murder, manslaughter, and treason. With jurors absent from court, judges are unable to proceed with these trials, effectively stalling justice for victims and accused persons alike.
Legal analysts warn that prolonged delays could result in case backlogs, extended pre-trial detentions, and potential violations of fair trial rights under Ghana’s Constitution.
Calls for Reform
The incident has also reignited calls for a comprehensive review of how Ghana compensates and manages its jury system. Stakeholders argue that jury service should be better resourced and protected, given its critical role in delivering justice.
There has been no official comment yet from the Judicial Service or the Ministry of Justice.
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