Akufo-Addo's ex-lawyer cries over unpaid benefits

Kow Essuman, former acting executive secretary and legal adviser to former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has lamented the non-payment of his remuneration by the John Dramani Mahama government.

The former presidential staffer took to Facebook to express frustration over his unpaid salary and benefits, which he said he had been waiting for 20 months.

He claimed that the government has failed to pay his salary arrears and terminal benefits.

He also disclosed that he had written to the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, demanding that the arrears be paid by Friday, September 11, 2026.

“20 months of waiting. Can’t wait any longer. This week, I instructed my lawyers to write to the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, MP, to DEMAND my salary arrears and terminal benefits for my service to the nation. I have also demanded INTEREST on the outstanding amount. I expect the Finance Minister to do the needful (PAY ME BY FRIDAY) and avoid JUDGMENT DEBT WITH INTEREST!” Kow Essuman wrote in a Facebook post shared on September 10, 2026.

The post included a copy of the letter his lawyers sent to the Minister of Finance demanding payment of his arrears.

In the letter dated September 8, 2026, the lawyers said Essuman had been awaiting payment of benefits that became due after his tenure ended on January 7, 2025.

Essuman was appointed Legal Counsel to then-President Akufo-Addo in January 2021 and was additionally appointed Acting Executive Secretary to the President in October 2024 while continuing in his role as Legal Counsel.

According to his lawyers, the terms of his appointment entitled him to several terminal benefits, including 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 of a year served.

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The lawyers argued that the benefits, together with any unpaid salary arrears, became due immediately after the conclusion of his service.

They also cited Section 2(c) of the Presidential (Transition) Act, 2012 (Act 845), which requires the Transition Team to ensure that salaries, allowances and retiring benefits owed to specified public office holders are paid “without undue delay.”

The lawyers warned that failure by the Ministry to make full payment by September 11 would result in legal proceedings against the State to recover the outstanding sums, accrued interest and legal costs.

See the letter and the post below:

BAI/MA

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