On Thursday, November 5, Abdulai Yakubu, General Secretary of the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG), blamed pay disparities and strict professional standards for the union’s ongoing strike. Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse, he highlighted that judicial employees are expected to uphold high levels of integrity and professionalism yet receive salaries far below their legal entitlements.
Yakubu noted that many workers face severe financial hardship, with some unable to afford transport home after work. "I can't go home. I can't afford transport to go home," he recounted a worker’s complaint. The General Secretary cited an example where an employee entitled to GH¢3,000 receives only about GH¢1,500 as take‑home pay, questioning why workers must negotiate benefits already mandated by law.
He also pointed to the strict ethical and professional requirements placed on judicial staff, including prohibitions on accepting gifts, engaging in partisan politics, and adhering to a dress code. Yakubu argued that such expectations should be matched by remuneration that reflects the responsibilities of the role.
Comparing judicial staff to other public institutions, he noted that Parliamentary Service employees receive salaries regulated by law and paid accordingly, and that President’s Office staff do not appear to face similar challenges. "Why does it have to be judicial service staff, employees serving the third arm of government?" he asked.
The strike continues as JUSAG demands that the government align judicial workers’ take‑home pay with their legally established entitlements and professional standards. The next steps will involve negotiations between JUSAG and the Ministry of Justice, with stakeholders monitoring the situation closely.
