Editorial: Aksa Energy Deal, Bribery Allegations & Matters Arising

In today's paper, we reported on the U.S. conviction of Asante Kwaku Berko, a former Ghanaian-American banker, for his alleged involvement in a bribery scheme linked to a power plant project in Ghana. The Department of Justice claimed Berko and his associates paid over $1 million in bribes to Ghanaian officials to assist Turkish energy firm Aksa Enerji Uretim A.S. in securing a contract to build and operate the plant.

The project spanned from 2014 to 2017 during a severe national energy crisis. Berko allegedly discussed paying the Ghanaian Minister of Power $1 million and his senior adviser $250,000, as well as bribing five other Ghanaian officials during a trip to Turkey. Following the agreement's ratification in July 2015, the conspirators allegedly planned further bribes, including $46,000 to members of the Ghanaian Parliament who took part in ratifying the deal.

The U.S. prosecution alleged Berko and his associates hid the payments through shell companies, false invoices, nominee account holders, and cash withdrawals. While the conviction of Berko in the United States is troubling, the more significant concern for Ghana is the alleged bribery involving its officials. The U.S. government has stated that over $1 million was paid or promised to Ghanaian government officials in connection with the power plant project.

The government officials who allegedly received or benefited from these payments cannot simply be ignored. This power project was pursued during a time of severe power crisis, with Ghanaians suffering from frequent blackouts and businesses and households struggling to secure alternative sources of electricity. The government was under immense pressure to find solutions to the country's energy problems.

The position of Minister of Power carries enormous responsibility, as the person occupying that office is entrusted with decisions affecting every Ghanaian. Similarly, Members of Parliament (MPs) are responsible for representing the people and scrutinizing and approving major national decisions, including agreements that commit the country to significant financial and policy obligations.

Allegations of bribes involving those entrusted with decisions on a major power project are particularly disturbing, as it undermines the public's trust in those entrusted with representing the nation. The Ghanaian government has committed to working with U.S. counterparts to bring those implicated in the bribery scheme to justice.

However, the country cannot afford for the Berko conviction to be the end of the matter. The United States has previously dealt with Berko in its courts, and Ghana must now hold its own officials accountable if the evidence proves their involvement. The conviction of Asante Kwaku Berko is an important step, but it must be followed by a thorough investigation and prosecution of those on the Ghanaian side of the alleged bribery scheme.