Akufo-Addo Demands 20 Months Unpaid Salary from John Mahama Government

Kow Essuman, who previously served as the acting executive secretary and legal adviser to former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has expressed his discontent regarding the lack of payment for his remuneration by the John Dramani Mahama administration.

In a recent Facebook post, he voiced his frustration over the salary and benefits that have gone unpaid for the past 20 months. Essuman highlighted that his salary arrears and terminal benefits remain unsettled.

Additionally, he mentioned that he has reached out to the Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, urging for the overdue payments to be addressed 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.

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: