Private legal practitioner and former Director of Human Resources at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Alhaji Lawyer Hamidu Chodi, has called on the Chief Justice and the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to urgently address the demands of the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) to end its indefinite strike.
He is urging the two authorities, representing the Judicial Service and the Government respectively, to fully implement the Judicial Service (Terms and Conditions of Service) Regulations, 2025 (C.I. 141), warning that the continued industrial action could further paralyse the country’s justice delivery system.
In a press statement, Mr Chodi expressed concern over what he described as prolonged institutional delays in implementing the regulations, which reportedly matured in November 2025.
He maintained that the situation required urgent attention, stressing that the challenges confronting the Judicial Service went beyond remuneration and demanded a comprehensive investment in human resources.
“May I take this opportunity through the use of your news channels to call on the Chief Justice of Ghana and the Attorney General and Minister of Justice (representing the Government of Ghana) to meet the demands of the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) by fully implementing the provisions of the Judicial Service (Terms and Conditions of Service) Regulations 2025 (CI 141) and stop the paralysis of the justice delivery system,” he stated.
Mr Chodi said the Judicial Service was experiencing serious manpower shortages as a result of retirements, deaths and the departure of experienced personnel to other public institutions offering more attractive employment conditions.
He identified the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Audit Service of Ghana as some of the institutions attracting personnel away from the Judicial Service.
According to him, the shortage of judicial personnel has significantly affected access to justice, with 137 District Courts reportedly operating without sitting magistrates.
He explained that the situation had placed additional pressure on the available judges and magistrates, some of whom were compelled to supervise as many as three courts.
“A judge or magistrate can run three (3) courts and has to appear in each on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to satisfy the administration of justice,” he noted.
The former GBC Human Resources Director further raised concerns about the additional responsibilities being undertaken by judicial staff without corresponding financial compensation.
He argued that the increasing workload, coupled with inadequate staffing and remuneration challenges, was placing considerable pressure on personnel responsible for supporting the administration of justice.
Mr Chodi appealed to the Chief Justice and Attorney General not to allow judicial staff and members of the lower bench to suffer economic hardship while carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.
“The Chief Justice and Attorney General must not allow members of JUSAG and the lower bench to wallow in abject poverty,” he emphasised.
He questioned what he considered unequal treatment in the adjustment of allowances and salaries across various public office categories.
“They are not different from the Presidential staffers whose allowances were increased by 67%, the Chiefs and Article 71 office holders whose salaries were increased by 100% respectively,” he said.
Mr Chodi also drew attention to the country’s public expenditure commitments, citing the reported GH¢90.76 billion wage bill for 2026 and the recent procurement of V8 vehicles for all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).
He suggested that the Government’s spending priorities should also reflect the welfare and working conditions of judicial personnel, whose services are essential to the effective administration of justice.
Beyond the concerns surrounding serving judicial officers and staff, he also touched on the difficult circumstances confronting pensioners after retirement.
“The plight of pensioners who retire and are resigned to death is palava for another day,” he remarked.
Mr Chodi’s intervention comes amid concerns over the disruption of judicial services following JUSAG’s decision to embark on an indefinite strike over the implementation of its conditions of service.
He called for urgent engagement and decisive action by the relevant authorities, insisting that resolving the concerns of judicial workers was necessary to restore normal operations and protect access to justice for Ghanaians.
