Former Legal Counsel to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Kow Abaka Essuman, has instructed his lawyers to demand the immediate payment of his outstanding salary arrears and terminal benefits from the Ministry of Finance.
In a formal demand letter sent through his legal representatives, Vint & Aletheia, Essuman gave Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson until Friday, 11th September 2026, to settle the full amount alongside interest calculated at the prevailing commercial bank rate, or face legal action.
The letter, dated 8th September 2026 and stamped received by the Ministry of Finance on 9th September 2026, states that Essuman has waited 20 months since completing his service to the nation on 7th January 2025.
According to his lawyers, Essuman was appointed Legal Counsel to the President by an appointment letter dated 15th June 2021 for the tenure spanning 8th January 2021 to 7th January 2025. He was additionally appointed Acting Secretary to the President on 3rd October 2024.
Under the terms of his appointment, he is entitled to terminal benefits comprising 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 served.
His legal team cited Section 2(c)(ii) of the Presidential (Transition) Act, 2012 (Act 845), which mandates the Transition Team to ensure that salaries, allowances, and retiring benefits due to holders of Article 71 offices are paid without undue delay.
“The Transition Team has long completed its work, and it has been over 20 months since Parliament determined the salaries, allowances, facilities, privileges and retiring benefits or awards due to holders of offices specified in Article 71 of the Constitution, and yet our Client… remains unpaid,” the letter reads.
The demand letter further described the non-payment as “arbitrary, discriminatory, unfair and unlawful”, highlighting that other public office holders—including the Speaker, Members of Parliament, Ministers, MMDCEs, and Council of State members who served during the same period—have received their entitlements.
“In the circumstances, we hold our Client’s firm instructions to formally demand that the Ministry of Finance immediately process and pay to our Client the full amount of his outstanding salary arrears and terminal benefits; and pay interest on the outstanding amount from 7th January 2025 until the date of full payment,” the letter stated.
Writing on social media, Essuman confirmed the legal step, warning of potential costs to the state if the matter proceeds to court.
“It has been 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!” he stated.
His lawyers confirmed that failure to meet the Friday deadline will result in immediate legal proceedings against the State to recover the principal sum, accrued interest, and legal costs.
