Kow Essuman says time will vindicate Akufo-Addo’s leadership

Former presidential legal counsel Kow Essuman has voiced strong support for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s record, saying the former president’s approach may only be fully appreciated with time. In an interview with JoyNews’ Gemma Appiah, Essuman argued that Akufo-Addo gave serious thought to the needs of ordinary Ghanaians while in office. Essuman said his own experience working with the former president shaped that view. He suggested that events unfolding in Ghana now could help people understand the thinking behind some of Akufo-Addo’s decisions. He did not specify which current developments he had in mind. As an example, Essuman pointed to the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. He recalled calls at the time for border closures and a nationwide lockdown, including advice from scientists. According to Essuman, Akufo-Addo was initially hesitant to impose movement restrictions and wanted to see evidence that a lockdown would actually slow the spread of the virus. Essuman said the former president also considered the country’s limited social support systems and the hardship restrictions could bring to people reliant on daily work and income. He contrasted Ghana’s circumstances with those of countries that had systems capable of cushioning people during lockdowns. The former legal counsel said Akufo-Addo eventually accepted restrictions after reviewing the scientific evidence. His account presents the decision as one shaped by both public-health advice and concern about the effects on livelihoods. Essuman’s comments are an endorsement of the former president’s judgment, as he maintains that more time is needed for the public to assess his leadership fairly.