Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has paid tribute to the late Executive Secretary of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG), Dr. Isaac Akuetteh Bampoe Addo, describing him as a decisive figure in Ghana's response to its economic crisis. Dr. Bampoe Addo played a crucial role in shaping the country's Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP). Ofori-Atta noted that Dr. Bampoe Addo brought unusual preparation, boldness, and strategic thinking to negotiations.
According to Ofori-Atta, Dr. Bampoe Addo's influence was particularly visible during the DDEP negotiations, when the government sought to restructure domestic debt as part of efforts to restore economic stability and return to an IMF-supported programme. Dr. Bampoe Addo and Dr. Baah helped secure a carve-out for unions, ensuring that organised labour's concerns were reflected in the final arrangement. This was achieved through tense and high-stakes negotiations.
Ofori-Atta worked closely with Dr. Bampoe Addo for seven years, mainly through annual negotiations on the national daily minimum wage, public-sector base pay, and conditions of service. Their relationship deepened after the government began quarterly engagements with unions to brief them on the economy and seek their input into the budget and negotiations with the International Monetary Fund. These engagements led to the formation of the Social Partnership Council.
Dr. Bampoe Addo was a key partner in the council's creation and in implementing its recommendations. Ofori-Atta credited Dr. Bampoe Addo with helping to secure a Supreme Court ruling affirming the right of civil servants to belong to political parties of their choice. He also praised the late union leader for overseeing the merger of the civil service and local government unions, expanding CLOGSAG's membership to more than 60,000.
Ofori-Atta described Dr. Bampoe Addo as a leader who was not always popular, particularly among some senior members of the union and sections of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), but who earned respect through his knowledge, courage, and commitment. The former Finance Minister called for Dr. Bampoe Addo to be honoured posthumously for his contribution to workers' rights and national development.
The tribute was published ahead of the final funeral rites for Dr. Bampoe Addo and his twin brother, Sidney Nii Oko Bampoe Addo, held at the forecourt of the State House in Accra. Dr. Bampoe Addo died on August 21, 2026, at the age of 59, while his twin brother, Sidney, died on September 14, 2026, also aged 59.
Ofori-Atta's tribute has drawn attention to the often unseen role organised labour played during Ghana's debt restructuring, portraying Dr. Bampoe Addo not only as a union activist but as a central participant in negotiations with national and international implications. Dr. Bampoe Addo's contributions to Ghana's economic recovery efforts have been recognised as crucial.
Key points
- Dr. Isaac Akuetteh Bampoe Addo played a crucial role in shaping Ghana's Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).
- Ofori-Atta credited Dr. Bampoe Addo with helping to secure a Supreme Court ruling affirming the right of civil servants to belong to political parties of their choice.
- The former Finance Minister called for Dr. Bampoe Addo to be honoured posthumously for his contribution to workers' rights and national development.
