Attorney General and Minister of Justice-designate, Gloria Akuffo has stated that striking state attorneys will resume work on Monday.
Speaking at Parliament’s appointment committee Saturday, Miss Akuffo said a meeting with them last Tuesday revealed that the striking attorneys have already met with President, Nana Akufo Addo who has assured of a resolution of their concerns.
“The President himself has intervened in the matter and has succeeded in persuading them to go back to work. I spoke with their national president and she assured me they will be reporting on Monday,” she stated.
The attorneys have been on strike for over three months demanding better working conditions.
The strike has compelled judges to adjourn some cases, since the state lawyers are not available to represent the state.
The Attorney-General’s office, led by Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong described the strike as illegal, and further directed the State Attorneys to return to work by Tuesday, January 3, 2017, or be “considered as having vacated post.”
The Association of State Attorneys, however, insisted their strike is legal, noting that it was pursuant to a statutory notice under Section 159 (b) of Act 651.
The attorneys also blamed the National Labour Commission for the impasse, explaining that the Commission should have gone to the High Court to compel the government to improve their conditions of service.
Among other things, the striking state attorneys demand the following:
Payments of correct harmonised salaries
Housing facilities
Sustainable pension scheme
Free official vehicles
Research allowance
But Madam Gloria Akuffo indicated that she will engage with both sides before taking a stance on the strike including the ruling by the National Labour Commission (NLC).
She said though the situation is unfortunate, she would work very hard to bring some amicable solution to the striking matter.
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