History will vindicate Akufo-Addo’s leadership – Former legal counsel Kow Essuman

Former legal counsel to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Kow Essuman, said history will vindicate the former President’s leadership, describing him as a leader who consistently considered ordinary Ghanaians' interests.

Speaking in an interview with JoyNews’ Gemma Appiah, Mr Essuman said people will need time to fully appreciate Mr Akufo-Addo’s approach to governance.

“It'll take a bit of time for people to appreciate that the man that we had in the office was the best person who thought about the country. In fact, today some of the things that are happening in this country are testimony to it,” he said.

Mr Essuman said his experience working with the former President had convinced him that Mr Akufo-Addo gave considerable thought to the welfare of ordinary citizens.

He cited the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic as an example, particularly the debate over whether to impose restrictions on movement to contain the spread of the virus.

“Having gotten to know him, you realise that he's someone who thinks about the ordinary person. I give you one example. During COVID, if you remember, there was a lot of outcry—we need to shut down the borders, we need to lock down and so on and so forth. A lot of people kept advising, even the scientists and so on and so forth,” he stated.

According to Mr Essuman, Mr Akufo-Addo was initially reluctant to impose a lockdown because he wanted evidence that the measure would help slow the spread of the virus.

He also said the former President considered Ghana’s limited social support systems and the difficulties a lockdown could create for people who depended on daily economic activities.

“He wanted to see the data first of all—that it was important or it would slow down the spread of the virus. Secondly, he felt that the countries that had locked down had a system in place that could save that lockdown. In Ghana, we didn't,” he said.

Mr Essuman added that the former President eventually accepted the need for restrictions after reviewing the available scientific evidence.

“And so he was very reluctant until the data and the science, like I said to you earlier on, convinced him that it was necessary to do so to be able to curb the spread of the virus,” he stated.