By Albert Futukpor
Tamale, Aug 27, GNA – The second Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference of the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has opened in Tamale to celebrate the association’s achievements over the past four years and review its operations over the period.
The week-long conference is on the theme: “Championing Staff Welfare and Technology: Anchors of Quality Justice”, and brought together delegates from across the country, is also expected to elect new Executive officers to steer the affairs of the Association for the next four years.
The opening ceremony, held on Tuesday, was attended by members of the Judicial Service including the Chief Justice, a government delegation, led by the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, traditional authorities and representatives of sister labour unions.
Mr Samuel Afotey Otu, the President of JUSAG, addressing the opening of the conference, said the association had achieved a lot over the period aimed at championing the welfare of its members.
Mr Otu said one of the major achievements of the period was the establishment of the Judicial Service Cooperative Fund (JUSCOFUND) on January 31, 2023, with the support of the former Chief Justice, Justice Anin Yeboah.
He said the fund, which began with 20 members/shareholders, had grown within three years to 1,200 members with equity exceeding GH¢350,000, assets of GH¢4.5 million and savings of GH¢4.2 million.
He said more than 370 members had benefited from loans amounting cumulatively to over GH¢5.5 million at relatively modest interest rates and flexible repayment terms.
Mr Otu also mentioned the JUSAG Judicial City Estates Project as another major initiative of the association.
He said the project, launched in December 2025, comprised 2,000 plots intended for Judicial Service staff, judges, magistrates and employees of sister institutions involved in the administration of justice.
He said the project sought not only to assist members in acquiring land but also to facilitate the development of homes through flexible financing arrangements involving JUSCOFUND and other innovative funding mechanisms.
Mr Otu said JUSAG had also introduced the JUSAG-Vanguard Funeral Booster in May, 2024 to reduce the financial burden on members during bereavement.
He explained that the basic plan provided free funeral insurance to members while the booster plan offered additional benefits of up to GH¢72,000 for a premium of GH¢35 alongside support for critical illness and total permanent disability.
Mr Otu also mentioned the JUSAG Heritage Cashback Plan, established in partnership with MiLife Insurance, which provides cover of up to GH¢100,000 for death or total permanent disability and treatment costs of up to GH¢50,000 for critical illness.
He said members, who did not make claims after 10 years or upon retirement were entitled to have their premium payments refunded, hence the name “Heritage Cashback”.
Mr Otu said the Judicial Service Occupational Pensions Scheme (JSOPS), Tier Two, had also recorded significant growth with more than 6,236 contributors as of the end of the second quarter of this year.
He said since its inception, 1,731 claimants had received cumulative benefits of GH¢24.52 million.
Mr Otu touched on the conditions of service of members and said JUSAG’s efforts to improve the welfare of its members also culminated in the passage of the Judicial Service (Terms and Conditions of Service) Regulations, 2025 (C.I. 141).
He commended President John Mahama for facilitating the passage of the C.I. 141 and appealed to him to expedite approval of the 2026 salary review proposal submitted by JUSAG in December 2025.
Mr Otu touched on the theme of the conference and said it was aimed at addressing contemporary issues affecting justice delivery and the welfare of staff.
He urged the Judiciary to study the opportunities and risks associated with Artificial Intelligence and develop ethical, labour-friendly and people-centered approaches to its application in justice delivery.
President Mahama, in a speech read on his behalf by Dr Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, assured that the government would work to provide the needed resources for the effective functioning of the Judicial Service.
Mr Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the Chief Justice, 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 and said the government was committed to ensuring industrial harmony in the country.
GNA
Edited by Eric K Amoh/Benjamin Mensah
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