Pay my salary arrears, terminal benefits by September 11 or face court – Former Prez Akufo-Addo’s lawyer to gov’t

Former Legal Counsel to former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Kow Abaka Essuman, has demanded the immediate payment of his outstanding salary arrears and terminal benefits from the Ministry of Finance.

His lawyers, Vint & Aletheia Attorneys & Consultants, have given the Ministry until Friday, September 11, to settle the outstanding amount and interest, failing which they will commence legal action against the State.

The demand was contained in a letter dated September 8, and addressed to the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, with copies sent to the Chief of Staff, the Secretary to the President and the Attorney-General.

Kow Essuman was appointed Legal Counsel to former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in January 2021 and subsequently appointed Acting Secretary to the President in October 2024, in addition to his duties as Legal Counsel.

According to the lawyers, his appointment entitled him to four months’ consolidated salary for every completed year of service or part thereof, an installation grant equivalent to one month’s salary, and a resettlement grant equivalent to one month’s salary for each year or fraction thereof served.

They said he became entitled to the benefits and outstanding salary arrears after his tenure ended on January 7, 2025.

The lawyers further cited the Presidential (Transition) Act, 2012 (Act 845), which requires the Transition Team to ensure that salaries, allowances, facilities, privileges and retiring benefits due to eligible office holders are paid without undue delay.

The letter claimed that several public officials who served during the same period, including Members of Parliament, former Ministers and Deputy Ministers, MMDCEs and members of the Council of State, had received their respective salary arrears and terminal benefits.

“Where persons who served in comparable public offices during the same period have received their applicable benefits, the continued withholding of our Client’s entitlement is arbitrary, discriminatory, unfair and unlawful,” the lawyers said.

The lawyers said Kow Essuman had previously raised concerns publicly about the non-payment of outstanding entitlements to former Presidential Staffers but had not received a resolution despite the time that had elapsed.

They have therefore demanded payment of the outstanding principal amount, together with interest from January 7, 2025, to the date of full payment at the prevailing commercial bank rate.

“We demand that the outstanding amount and interest be paid in full on or before Friday, 11th September 2026,” the lawyers stated.

The lawyers said any legal action would seek recovery of the outstanding principal amount, interest and costs.