Former Legal Counsel to former President Akufo-Addo, Kow Abaka Essuman, has threatened to pursue legal action if the Finance Minister fails to pay his outstanding salary arrears by the deadline he has given.
Speaking to Isaac Addae on Morning Starr on Starr FM, Mr Essuman said he is waiting to see whether the Finance Minister will settle the outstanding payment by the end of the week, failing which he will consult his lawyers and proceed with the legal action already planned.
He said he would not disclose the details of his legal strategy at this stage but stressed that he was prepared to take the matter further if the Finance Minister failed to act.
“I’m hoping that the Finance Minister will do the needful by the deadline which I’ve given him, which is at the end of this week. If he fails to do that, I would have discussions with my lawyers and would proceed in the manner in which we have planned to do,” he said.
Mr Essuman said the continued delay in paying the outstanding salaries was completely unreasonable and unfair, particularly as the affected former presidential staff have been waiting for 20 months.
He questioned the basis on which payments were prioritised, particularly why legislators were paid as far back as May 2025 while former presidential staff remained unpaid.
He said if there is a justification for the manner in which the payments have been handled, the government should provide that explanation, indicating that he would respond to it through the appropriate legal channels.
Mr Essuman maintained that the outstanding amount includes salary arrears dating back to January 2021 and argued that the state has an obligation to honour its contractual commitments to employees who have performed their duties.
He said the situation has reinforced his view that public servants sometimes have to fight for payments they are entitled to, unlike in the private sector where, in his view, such matters would not be allowed to drag on for so long.
Despite the dispute, Mr Essuman said the situation would not discourage him from serving Ghana.
“I would still serve Ghana. I would still serve the country in whatever position that I find myself. It wouldn’t deter me from serving,” he said.
However, called for reforms within the public service to prevent individuals in positions of authority from making what he described as discriminatory decisions over who gets paid, when they get paid and how they get paid.
“…Will wait until the end of the week to determine whether the Finance Minister will make the payment before deciding on his next legal step” he said
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Pamela Quayson
