Ex-Akufo-Addo Legal Counsel Demands Salary Arrears; Threatens Court Action

Kow Abaka Essuman, who served as Legal Counsel to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has escalated his dispute with the government by issuing a formal demand for outstanding salary arrears and terminal benefits, threatening legal action if payment is not made by September 11.

The former presidential adviser's ultimatum signals growing tension within government circles over compensation delays, raising questions about the administration's financial management of staff entitlements as it entered its final months in office.

The Dispute and Deadline

Essuman's tenure as Legal Counsel concluded in January 2025, yet months later he remains unpaid for accumulated salary arrears and statutory terminal benefits owed upon departure from office. The September 11 deadline represents his final warning before pursuing litigation against the Finance Ministry, effectively forcing the government's hand on an administrative matter that should have been resolved upon his exit.

The case highlights a recurring problem in Ghana's public sector: delayed settlement of employee entitlements, particularly for high-level appointments that fall outside permanent civil service structures. Presidential staff and advisers often face prolonged payment delays following the conclusion of their contracts, creating financial hardship despite their role in government operations.

Why This Matters for Ghana

This dispute carries implications beyond a single individual's grievance. It reflects broader concerns about fiscal discipline and administrative efficiency within government institutions. When senior officials must resort to legal threats to recover legitimately owed compensation, it suggests systemic weaknesses in payroll management and financial accountability.

The case also occurs during a politically sensitive transition period. Ghana's new administration, which took office after the December 2024 elections, inherits not only policy priorities but also outstanding financial obligations from its predecessor. How the government handles Essuman's claim will signal its approach to resolving accumulated government debts and honouring contractual obligations to public servants.

Additionally, this situation may prompt other former presidential appointees and government staff facing similar delays to consider legal action, potentially creating a cascade of court cases against the state. Such litigation drains public resources and diverts government attention from operational priorities whilst damaging institutional reputation.

Context and Precedent

Ghana's public sector has a documented history of delayed payment of terminal benefits to departing staff members, from university lecturers to government appointees. The Finance Ministry frequently cites budget constraints and administrative delays as reasons, though critics argue these explanations mask poor planning and weak systems for tracking outstanding liabilities.

For presidential appointees specifically, the situation is complicated by the transition between administrations. Outgoing governments sometimes deprioritise payments to advisers when budgets tighten, whilst incoming administrations claim they inherited the obligation but face pressure to allocate resources to new priorities. Essuman's ultimatum suggests he has exhausted informal channels and now seeks formal resolution through established deadlines and potential court intervention.

The Finance Ministry has not publicly responded to his demand, though the September 11 deadline will force a decision: settle the arrears or defend a legal challenge. Either path represents a cost to government, whether financial or reputational.