The legal battle is intensifying with former Legal Counsel to President Akufo-Addo, Kow Abaka Essuman, issuing a formal threat to sue the State over a substantial unpaid salary arrears and terminal benefits, following the expiration of his tenure on January 7, 2025. This ultimatum comes amidst a protracted legal dispute initiated by Essuman’s lawyers, Vint & Aletheia, concerning the Ministry of Finance’s timeline for settling these outstanding payments. The demand letter, dated September 8, 2024, explicitly cites Section 2(e)(ii) of the Presidential (Transition) Act, 2012, which mandates the Transition Team to ensure timely payment of salaries, allowances, facilities, privileges, and retiring benefits due to holders of specified offices under Article 71 of the Constitution. The Act stipulates that the Ministry must pay these benefits without undue delay, a requirement Essuman argues is consistently unmet, while numerous other officials, including the Speaker, Members of Parliament, former Ministers, and other government personnel, have received their respective entitlements. Essuman’s lawyers contend that the Ministry’s failure to settle his client’s entitlement, particularly considering the prolonged delay in Parliament determining the applicable salaries and benefits, constitutes arbitrary, discriminatory, and unlawful withholding of his rights. The letter highlights several previous communications from Essuman concerning the issue, suggesting a persistent concern and a desire for administrative resolution. The lawyers emphasized that the continued withholding of his client’s benefits represents a significant breach of the law and a failure to uphold the principles of fair compensation for public officials. They are demanding full payment of the outstanding principal amount, interest accruing from January 7, 2025, until the date of full settlement, to be settled in full by Friday, September 11, 2026. If the Ministry fails to comply, the lawyers stated, they will initiate legal proceedings against the State, including the recovery of principal amount, interest, and associated costs, without further recourse to the Ministry. The legal action is a direct response to the ongoing dispute and a clear assertion of client rights, signifying a significant challenge to the Ministry’s obligations under the Presidential Act.” , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Source: Graphic Online
