The Minority Caucus in Parliament has mounted fresh pressure on President John Dramani Mahama and the leadership of the Judiciary to urgently resolve the ongoing strike by the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) and the Senior Staff Association of the Judicial Service of Ghana (SSAJUG), warning that the continued industrial action is undermining the administration of justice and leaving thousands of citizens at the mercy of delayed court proceedings.
In a strongly worded petition dated November 9, 2026, and addressed directly to President Mahama at Jubilee House, the Minority Caucus on Employment, Labour Relations and Pensions accused the relevant authorities of allowing the dispute over the 2026 salary review to drag on despite several engagements between the workers, Judicial Service Management and the government.
The caucus described the situation as one that has gone on for far too long, insisting that the time for repeated assurances and promises to look into the matter is over. It is demanding decisive leadership, sincere negotiations and an immediate settlement that will allow the striking workers to return to their posts.
The petition, signed by the Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Committee on Employment, Labour Relations and Pensions, Hon. Frank Asiedu Bekoe, followed JUSAG’s announcement on Sunday, November 8, that its industrial action would continue on Monday, November 9, 2026.
The Minority says the continued disagreement over outstanding issues relating to the 2026 salary review has reached a point where government can no longer afford to delay intervention, particularly given the consequences for the justice delivery system.
According to the caucus, the strike should not be viewed merely as an industrial disagreement between workers and their employers but as a national concern involving the welfare of judicial staff, the independence of the Judiciary and the constitutional responsibility to ensure timely access to justice.
Minority Accuses Authorities of Allowing Dispute to Drag On
The Minority expressed concern that despite several meetings and engagements, the parties have failed to reach an agreement capable of ending the industrial action.
It argued that workers should not be pushed to the point where withdrawing their services becomes the only available means of drawing attention to their grievances.
The caucus insists that employees must be heard before industrial tensions escalate and that legitimate employment-related concerns should be addressed through meaningful engagement rather than prolonged uncertainty.
It also questioned why public sector workers should continue to endure financial difficulties when the government has repeatedly communicated assurances of economic recovery.
The Minority acknowledged the fiscal constraints confronting the government but maintained that economic discipline should not become a permanent excuse for failing to honour legitimate employment obligations.
It argued that if the economy is recovering, the benefits of that recovery must also be reflected in the conditions of service and welfare of workers who contribute to the functioning of the state.
Chief Justice Told to Stand With Judicial Service Workers
One of the strongest aspects of the Minority’s petition is its appeal to the Chief Justice and the management of the Judicial Service to demonstrate greater commitment to the welfare of their employees.
The caucus says judicial staff have increasingly developed the impression that their own institution is not standing firmly enough with them and that the government’s position is receiving greater consideration than their welfare.
It argued that the Judiciary must not treat the concerns of its employees as an administrative inconvenience or a problem to be transferred entirely to the Executive.
The Minority used a family analogy to explain its position, saying workers expect their institutional leadership to stand by them when they face difficulties, just as members of a family expect support from those responsible for their welfare.
According to the caucus, judicial employees are part of the institutional family of the Judiciary and deserve to have their concerns treated with seriousness, dignity and fairness.
It therefore appealed to the Chief Justice to demonstrate through practical action that the welfare of judicial staff remains an important institutional priority.
The Minority stressed that although the Chief Justice is not expected to accept every demand without scrutiny, the Judiciary must be seen to be committed to fair negotiations and the protection of the interests of its workforce.
Minority Raises Concerns Over Judicial Independence
The caucus has also linked the JUSAG dispute to the broader constitutional principle of separation of powers, arguing that the independence of the Judiciary must be reflected not only in judicial decisions but also in the institution’s ability to protect its legitimate interests.
It warned that the Judiciary must not appear to subordinate its institutional responsibilities to the convenience of the Executive.
The Minority maintained that the Chief Justice and Judicial Service Management have a responsibility to advocate for their employees and ensure that negotiations with the government are conducted in a manner that protects the dignity and welfare of the workforce.
It argued that separation of powers should not remain a constitutional principle invoked only when politically convenient but must be demonstrated through the conduct of state institutions.
For the caucus, the dispute presents an opportunity for the Judiciary to show that its institutional independence includes the ability to engage government firmly and constructively on matters affecting its operations and personnel.
Ghanaian Court Users Bear the Consequences
Beyond the financial demands of the striking workers, the Minority warned that the continued industrial action is imposing serious difficulties on ordinary Ghanaians who depend on the courts to resolve disputes and protect their rights.
It noted that behind every pending case is a human story involving families, businesses and individuals whose lives may be affected by delays in the administration of justice.
The caucus cited examples of parents awaiting decisions in custody disputes, families involved in property cases, business owners seeking to recover outstanding debts and individuals whose liberty may depend on timely court proceedings.
It argued that prolonged disruption of court administration could deepen the difficulties faced by people who already depend on the justice system for the protection of their rights and the resolution of disputes.
The Minority therefore maintained that the interests of judicial workers and the general public must be protected simultaneously.
It rejected the idea that workers should be expected to abandon legitimate demands for the convenience of government, just as it argued that citizens should not be forced to endure indefinite disruption to the administration of justice.
Minority Makes Five Appeals to Mahama and Other Stakeholders
In its petition, the Minority outlined specific interventions it wants the President, government, Parliament, the Judiciary and organised labour to pursue to bring the dispute to an end.
First, it called on President Mahama and the government to treat the impasse as an urgent national matter and direct the relevant ministries, particularly the Ministry of Finance, to engage JUSAG immediately over the outstanding 2026 salary review issues.
The caucus wants government to provide a clear and credible pathway towards resolving the disagreement rather than allowing negotiations to continue without a definite outcome.
Second, it appealed to the Chief of Staff and officials at Jubilee House to provide high-level coordination to prevent the matter from moving endlessly between ministries while workers and court users continue to suffer the consequences.
Third, the Minority called on the Speaker of Parliament and the leadership of the House to facilitate urgent engagements through parliamentary leadership and relevant committees while exercising the legislature’s oversight responsibilities.
Fourth, it urged the Chief Justice and Judicial Service Management to renew their commitment to staff welfare and intensify discussions with the government and JUSAG leadership.
Finally, the caucus appealed to JUSAG and SSAJUG to remain committed to constructive engagement while pursuing a fair settlement that protects the welfare and dignity of their members.
Minority Rejects Further Promises Without Concrete Action
The Minority insists that the current situation is avoidable and can be resolved if those entrusted with leadership demonstrate the necessary commitment.
It argued that the workers should not be expected to surrender their legitimate demands simply to restore industrial peace, particularly when the issues surrounding the 2026 salary review remain unresolved.
The caucus also maintained that government must recognise that the people who keep the judicial system functioning deserve to be treated fairly and must not feel abandoned by the very institution they serve.
It pledged to use all legitimate parliamentary avenues, including engagements, oversight and public advocacy, to press the government to address the concerns raised by JUSAG.
The petition further stressed that judicial staff working in court registries and administrative offices may not enjoy the same public visibility as judges and magistrates, but their contribution is indispensable to the delivery of justice.
Without their services, the administrative machinery that supports court operations cannot function effectively.
A Test of Leadership for Mahama and the Judiciary
The latest intervention by the Minority places President Mahama, the Chief Justice, Judicial Service Management and organised labour under renewed pressure to find a lasting solution to the dispute.
For the opposition caucus, the issue goes beyond salary negotiations and raises questions about the government’s willingness to honour employment-related obligations, the Judiciary’s commitment to its workforce and the impact of prolonged industrial action on citizens.
The caucus wants judicial workers to return to their offices knowing that their concerns have been heard and their dignity respected. It also wants members of the public to regain confidence that court proceedings can continue without unnecessary disruption.
In its concluding appeal, the Minority warned that a country cannot convincingly claim to uphold justice when the very people responsible for helping to deliver it feel that justice has been denied to them.
It therefore called for an immediate resolution of the outstanding salary review issues, insisting that the time for assurances without concrete results has passed.
The petition was signed by Hon. Frank Asiedu Bekoe, Deputy Ranking Member of the Committee on Employment, Labour Relations and Pensions of Parliament.
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