The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has demanded from government the implementation of revised salaries and other allowances for judges by giving government a two-week ultimatum to implement the recommended salaries.
According to the Association, the Judicial Council concluded on the 2021 salary and other related allowances early on in the year. They explained that it was to be considered by the President in line with the provisions of the 1992 Constitution.
The National President of the Association, Mr Alex Nartey, stated that although the year is ending, the new increments are yet to be implemented. He insisted that this has induced agitations among their rank and file.
Mr Nartey revealed that JUSAG at its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting came to a decision that, “the delays on the part of the government with regard to the implementation of our new salaries is unacceptable, they can no longer wait”.
“Within two weeks from today, government must take action on the recommended salaries. If within two weeks the government does not do anything about it, they should not blame us, because we will advise ourselves according to law”.
Mr Alex Nartey
Furthermore, Mr Nartey noted that the Association and the Judicial Service have put in place the necessary processes required for the implementation to commence.
“The staff, who understand the importance of their role, have been very patient. We cooperated with management and all stakeholders but as we talk now, the year is getting to a close and nothing, in spite of what we have done as a union, what management has done, particularly the Judicial council has done, with regards to the salaries, it appears government does not want to give the recommendations the urgent attention that the matter requires”.
Mr Alex Nartey
Judges feel disrespected on allowances are paid
The President of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana (AMJG), on Thursday, September 29, 2021, revealed the process adjudicators go through in order to receive their allowances.
Justice Senyo Dzamefe disclosed that payment of allowances has now become cumbersome as members of the judiciary have to call in favours from people at the Presidency before they get paid.
Speaking at the Association’s Annual General Meeting, Justice Dzamefe described it as saddening as it hinders the autonomy of the judicial arm of government.
“It is sad, that judges in Ghana will have to fight every year for their legitimate allowances to be paid. It is sad, that the leadership of the Association has to personally, trek to the Ministry of Finance, Controller and Accountant General Department, Auditor-General’s Department to fight before allowances are paid.
“We have to fall on friends at the seat of government to push for such allowances to be paid”.
Justice Senyo Dzamefe
Justice Dzamefe explained that “we feel disrespected about the way our allowances are paid as if it is a favour being done us”.
Stating the fuel allowance as a case in point, Justice Dzamefe noted that no judge in the country has received such remuneration since January 2021.
According to him, that due to the delay in payment, adjudicators are forced to pay for fuel from their already taxed salary and when government is ready to refund, it is taxed again.
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