By Albert Futukpor, GNA
Tamale, Aug 26, GNA – The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG), has commended President John Mahama for his “bold and transformational leadership” that culminated in the passage of the Judicial Service (Terms and Conditions of Service) Regulations, 2025, C.I. 141.
Mr Samuel Afotey Otu, the President of JUSAG who gave the commendation, said the passage of the C.I. 141 within the first year of President Mahama’s tenure, marked a defining turning point in the history of the Judicial Service and would remain one of the enduring legacies of his administration.
Mr Otu gave the commendation when he addressed the opening of the second Quadrennial Delegates Conference of JUSAG at Tamale.
The week-long conference is to review the operations of JUSAG over the past four years and elect new Executive officers, to steer the affairs of the Association for the next four years.
Mr Otu said for more than three decades, staff of the Judicial Service had contended with unresolved conditions of service, a situation which sometimes compelled JUSAG to embark on industrial actions that disrupted the smooth administration of justice.
He said successive efforts to secure conditions of service in line with Article 158 (2) of the 1992 Constitution, failed to yield the desired results until President Mahama’s administration.
He said President Mahama granted approval for the Judicial Service (Terms and Conditions of Service) Regulations, 2025 within three months of his administration paving the way for the passage of the C.I. 141.
He indicated that the Attorney-General and the Ministry of Finance also played important roles by promptly providing requisite legal opinion and fiscal impact analysis.
Mr Otu said “President Mahama, the C.I. 141 achieved within the first twelve months of your tenure marks a defining turning point in the history of the Judicial Service. Present and future generations of JUSAG will remember this achievement as one of the enduring legacies of your administration.”
He was hopeful that the implementation of C.I. 141 would end the difficulties JUSAG members had historically encountered regarding the payment of salaries and bring greater certainty and stability to their conditions of service.
He also acknowledged the contributions of successive Chief Justices and other personalities, whose efforts contributed to the development and passage of the C.I. 141.
Mr Otu especially commended His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who “climaxed the story” of the redefinition of the conditions of service, describing him as the leader of the Judiciary and Judicial Service.
He also recognised the contribution of His Lordship Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, who chaired the Judicial Council’s committee on the draft legislation.
Mr Otu touched on the Judicial Service Staff salaries and appealed to President Mahama to expedite approval of the JUSAG’s 2026 salary review proposal, which commenced in December 2025 but remained pending.
He expressed confidence that the President would approve the proposal to enable members to receive their reviewed salaries together with applicable arrears by September, this year.
President Mahama, in a speech read on his behalf by Dr Julius Debrah, the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, assured the conference that the government would work to provide the needed resources for the effective functioning of the Judicial Service.
His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the Chief Justice of the Republic, encouraged the Judicial Service staff to continue to contribute ideas towards improving the institution.
Dr Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, emphasised the need for consultation and negotiation to resolve labour disputes, saying the government was committed to ensuring industrial harmony in the country.
GNA
Edited by Eric K. Amoh/ Christabel Addo
Reporter: Albert Futukpor, GNA
Writer’s Email: [email protected]
