Lawyers representing Kow Abaka Essuman, the former Legal Counsel to former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, have issued the Ministry of Finance a deadline to settle his outstanding salary arrears and terminal benefits or face possible legal action.
In a letter dated September 8, 2026, and addressed to Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the lawyers gave the Ministry until Friday, September 11, 2026, to pay the benefits they say became due after Mr Essuman’s tenure ended on January 7, 2025.
Mr Essuman was appointed as Legal Counsel to then-President Akufo-Addo in January 2021. In October 2024, he was additionally appointed Acting Secretary to the President while continuing to serve as Legal Counsel.
His legal representatives argue that the terms and conditions of his appointment entitled him to several terminal benefits, including four months’ consolidated salary for every completed year of service or part thereof.
The lawyers further stated that Mr Essuman was entitled to an installation grant equivalent to one month’s salary, as well as a resettlement grant equivalent to one month’s salary for each year or fraction of a year served.
According to the lawyers, these benefits, together with any outstanding salary arrears, became payable immediately after the former presidential legal counsel’s service ended.
Lawyers Cite Presidential Transition Act
The legal team has also cited Section 2(c) of the Presidential (Transition) Act, 2012 (Act 845) in support of its demand.
The provision requires the Presidential Transition Team to ensure that salaries, allowances and retiring benefits owed to specified public office holders are paid without undue delay.
The lawyers further claimed that a number of former public officials have already received their outstanding arrears and terminal benefits.
Those mentioned include the Speaker and Members of Parliament, former Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), and members of the Council of State.
The legal team is therefore demanding that the Ministry of Finance resolve Mr Essuman’s outstanding financial claims by the September 11 deadline.
Failure to settle the salary arrears and terminal benefits within the stipulated period, the lawyers warned, could result in their client taking legal steps to recover the money.
The development has brought renewed attention to the payment of terminal benefits for former public officials in Ghana, as well as the obligations of government under the Presidential Transition Act.
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Source: newsthemegh.com