Kow Essuman threatens legal action over unpaid salary arrears, terminal benefits

Former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s Secretary and Legal Counsel, Kow Essuman, has threatened to take legal action over what he says are outstanding salary arrears and terminal benefits owed to him.

The former presidential appointee has reportedly given the government a deadline to settle the outstanding payments or face a potential court battle.

Kow Essuman demands payment

Kow Essuman, who served as a key member of Akufo-Addo’s administration, is seeking payment of salary arrears and other benefits following the end of his tenure.

Reports indicate that his lawyers have formally raised the matter with the Finance Ministry, demanding that the outstanding obligations be settled.

The dispute has now escalated to the point where legal action is being threatened if the government fails to resolve the issue.

Deadline issued to government

According to the report, Essuman’s lawyers have issued a deadline for the payment of the outstanding benefits.

Failure to comply could result in the former presidential legal counsel pursuing the matter through the courts.

The development puts further attention on how former political appointees are treated financially after leaving office, particularly where contractual or terminal benefits remain outstanding.

Lawyers allege unfair treatment

Essuman’s legal representatives have also raised concerns about what they consider discriminatory treatment in the handling of his claim.

The lawyers argue that the former presidential appointee is entitled to the payments being demanded and are pushing for the matter to be resolved without further escalation.

The case could therefore develop into a legal confrontation between the former Akufo-Addo appointee and the government if an agreement is not reached.

Government faces pressure to settle

The dispute comes at a time when government finances and expenditure on public officials remain under intense public scrutiny.

For Essuman, however, the issue is about securing what he and his lawyers maintain are contractual entitlements arising from his service at the Presidency.

Whether the Finance Ministry will settle the outstanding claims or allow the matter to proceed to court remains to be seen.

For now, Kow Essuman’s threat of legal action has placed the government under pressure to address his demand for unpaid salary arrears and terminal benefits.