In Ghana, Judicial staff call off its nationwide strike after barely 24 hours

The National President of JUSSAG, Alex Nartey

The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSSAG) has called off its nationwide strike after a crunch meeting with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Haruna Iddrisu.

The nationwide strike which took effect on April 1, was to protest their unpaid allowances and poor conditions of service. Activities in the various courts across the country subsequently came to a standstill following the industrial action.

The situation also left lawyers and their clients across the country stranded.

There was virtually no activity in courts across the nation. Visibly frustrated people who thronged to the court to have their cases settled were disappointed to see most of the court rooms locked.

Haruna Iddrisu had earlier criticised JUSSAG for taking such a decision, arguing that they acted in a rush since they had scheduled to resolve the matter at a meeting soon.

The minister, after the crunch meeting was optimistic they will call off the strike and hinted government will soon make the judicial service an essential service to prevent them from embarking on another strike in the future.

He expressed his gratitude to the leadership of JUSSAG for acting in good faith and called on individual members of JUSSAG to return to work in order for the judicial system to work effectively.

The National President of JUSSAG, Alex Nartey, said they decided to call off the strike because government has shown enough commitment that their clothing, fuel and other allowances for the first quarter of this year will be paid by Monday, April 4, 2016.

He added that they will also commence negotiations on their conditions of service by Wednesday, April 6, 2016, following the release of a letter from President Mahama giving them the presidential mandate to do the negotiation.