I did not demand or receive money from convicted Asante Berko - Fmr Power Minister

K.T. Hammond, the lawyer for former Power Minister Dr Kwabena Donkor, expressed uncertainty over whether his client has been questioned by Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) or US authorities regarding the Berko bribery case. Hammond made this remark during an interview with JoyNews when asked about his client’s possible contact with investigators. "I’m not sure," Hammond stated, highlighting the ambiguity surrounding the matter.

The OSP’s involvement in the US investigation into the Berko case has sparked interest in whether any potential findings from the US probe could lead to additional legal action against individuals in Ghana. Berko was found guilty by a US federal jury in Brooklyn, New York, on charges related to a scheme that involved the payment of over US$1 million in bribes to Ghanaian officials in connection with a power plant project involving Aksa Energy.

Dr Donkor, who served as Power Minister during the relevant period, has vehemently denied any involvement in the alleged bribery scheme. His lawyer maintains that the former minister never met Berko, did not negotiate with him, and neither demanded nor received any money from him concerning the deal. The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) is currently expanding its investigation into the Ghanaian aspect of the case, aiming to trace and recover assets linked to the scheme.

Additionally, the Attorney-General has instructed the EOCO to intensify its inquiries as pertinent information and official records are obtained from US authorities.