Ayɛ Huhuuhu: Which Minister Took The $1m Bribe? … AG Promises Full Probe Into Aksa Energy Deal

The Attorney-General of Ghana has pledged to carry out a comprehensive investigation into individuals suspected of involvement in a bribery scheme linked to an energy deal involving Turkish firm Aksa Enerji. This announcement comes in the wake of the U.S. conviction of Ghanaian-American former Goldman Sachs banker Asante Kwaku Berko for his alleged role in the scheme, which allegedly involved bribes totaling $1 million to a Ghanaian minister.

Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Justice Srem Sai, stated that the Attorney-General and U.S. authorities are jointly working to hold accountable those implicated in the alleged wrongdoing. Prosecutors detailed the scheme, in which Berko and his associates allegedly paid bribes to numerous Ghanaian government officials, including $1 million to the Minister of Power and $250,000 to a senior adviser, as well as payments to other government officials during a trip to Turkey.

They alleged that Berko concealed and laundered the payments through shell companies and other means. Berko faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted, and Dr. Kwabena Donkor, the former Energy Minister, has denied any wrongdoing related to the project.