Lawyer and presidential legal counsel under former President Akufo-Addo, Kow Essuman, has described the former leader’s management of the COVID-19 pandemic as one of the finest examples of crisis leadership in Ghana’s history.
Essuman recalled the intense pressure and sleepless nights spent drafting emergency laws and balancing public safety with individual freedoms.
“That period was like fighting a war,” he said on Starr Chat with Bola Ray monitored by MyNewsGh.
“President Akufo-Addo took it personally. Every decision he made was with the ordinary Ghanaian in mind.”
Essuman revealed that one of the most difficult decisions the president faced was whether to impose a total lockdown.
“Many people don’t know this, but the delay in lockdown was because the president was concerned about how the ordinary Ghanaian would survive,” he said.
“He used to say, ‘You guys can order food and store it, but these people queue to buy koko and kenkey every morning. What will they do if we lock down?’”
As legal counsel, Essuman worked closely with then-Attorney General Gloria Akuffo to draft the Imposition of Restrictions Act, which formed the legal framework for COVID-19 safety measures.
“We spent many nights working with the Attorney General’s department,” he recalled.
“Parliament sat late, and everyone gave their all to protect lives.”
He also dismissed claims of widespread misuse of COVID-19 funds, saying due process was followed.
“The Auditor-General had to do his work, and Parliament followed up. If there was concrete evidence of misappropriation, actions would have been taken,” he explained.
