Former Legal Counsel to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Kow Abaka Essuman, has given Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson until Friday, September 11, 2026, to settle his outstanding salary arrears and terminal benefits or face legal action.
Mr Essuman said he had instructed his lawyers to formally demand payment after waiting more than 20 months since his tenure ended on January 7, 2025.
His lawyers, Vint & Aletheia Attorneys & Consultants, wrote to Dr Ato Forson on September 8, with the letter received by the Ministry of Finance on September 9.
According to the demand letter, Mr Essuman is entitled under the terms of his appointment 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 of a year served.
Mr Essuman served as Legal Counsel to the President from January 8, 2021, to January 7, 2025. He was additionally appointed Acting Secretary to the President from October 3, 2024, while retaining his responsibilities as Legal Counsel.
The lawyers are also demanding interest on the outstanding amount from January 7, 2025, until full payment, calculated at the prevailing commercial bank rate.
They cited Section 2(c)(ii) of the Presidential (Transition) Act, 2012 (Act 845), which requires the Transition Team to ensure that salaries, allowances and retiring benefits determined by Parliament for specified Article 71 office holders are paid without undue delay.
The lawyers contend that more than 20 months have elapsed since Parliament determined the relevant benefits, yet Mr Essuman remains unpaid.
They further claim that other officials who served during the same period, including Members of Parliament, former ministers and deputy ministers, MMDCEs and members of the Council of State, have received their salary arrears and terminal benefits.
The continued withholding of Mr Essuman’s entitlements, while comparable public officials have been paid, is described by his lawyers as “arbitrary, discriminatory, unfair and unlawful.”
Mr Essuman said he had previously raised concerns over outstanding entitlements owed to former presidential staffers in an attempt to secure an administrative resolution.
In his latest statement, he said the 20-month wait had left him with no option but to instruct his lawyers to act.
“I expect the Finance Minister to do the needful — PAY ME BY FRIDAY — and avoid JUDGMENT DEBT WITH INTEREST!”
The lawyers have warned that if the outstanding amount and interest are not paid by Friday, September 11, they have instructions to commence proceedings against the State to recover the principal amount, interest and legal costs.
The demand letter was copied to the Chief of Staff, Secretary to the President, Legal Counsel to the President and the Attorney-General.
As of the latest reports, there has been no public response from the Finance Minister or the Ministry of Finance to the demand.