General News of Friday, 22 June 2018

Source: kasapafmonline.com

Top up our salaries else we’ll strike next month – Judges to Akufo-Addo

A cross section of Judges in Ghana A cross section of Judges in Ghana

The Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana has cautioned President Akuffo to immediately review the salaries of lower court judges or face their wrath.

They’ve vowed to carry out their threat and embark on a strike action early next month, if their demands are not met.

According to the association, the president who is also an astute lawyer must know better and fix the situation as required by law.

Government has failed over the last four years to review the salaries of lower court judges despite several calls for it to do so, a situation they say is causing dire effect on their lives.

Speaking to the media President of Association, Justice Victor Ofoe, insisted it’s not an absurdity for Judges to embark on strike action, since the trend has been replicated elsewhere in other African countries and as a matter of fact is not alien to them.

“If the system for reviewing salaries appears to be breaking down, …then our resolve not to go on strike should also break down. We’ve heard of strikes in Zambia, Tanzania and the rest. And they keep on pointing that you people say Judges don’t go on strike, but is it not strike that is being undertaken in Zambia and Tanzania? What is so special with our stomach that if we are being cheated, we should say no strike and be going hungry? If Zambia and Tanzania can go on strike and be getting their results the matter is a very simple one” Justice Victor Ofoe said.