Istanbul trip was standard due diligence for Aksa power deal – K.T. Hammond

Former Power Minister Dr Kwabena Donkor's lawyer, K.T. Hammond, has defended the decision by a Ghanaian technical team to travel to Istanbul, Turkey, for the inspection of equipment related to the contentious Aksa Energy power deal. Hammond stated that this visit was part of the standard technical due diligence that is required before shipping major power-generation equipment to Ghana.

He emphasized that Ghanaian officials had to physically inspect the equipment to confirm it met the necessary standards and could deliver the anticipated capacity. This process is crucial, according to Hammond, to ensure the integrity and functionality of the equipment. The defense of the Istanbul trip comes amidst increased scrutiny of the Aksa Energy deal following the conviction of former Tema Oil Refinery Managing Director Asante Kwaku Berko in the United States for bribery involving Ghanaian officials.

Berko was found guilty of accepting over $1 million in bribes to facilitate a power plant project in Ghana. Dr. Donkor, who was Power Minister at the time, has denied any involvement in the transaction or any dealings with Berko. Hammond asserted that the Istanbul inspection was not a political move but a necessary technical process involving professionals from Ghana's power sector, including the Volta River Authority.

This inspection was critical to verify the suitability of the equipment, given Ghana's ongoing power crisis, colloquially known as Dumsor. Hammond highlighted the importance of technical verification to ensure that the equipment being supplied could effectively address Ghana's power needs. He explained that the inspection process involved various stakeholders, such as the VRA, to ensure that the equipment met the required standards.

Hammond's comments aim to clarify one of the key aspects of the emergency power arrangement that has become entangled in the US bribery case. The deal was finalized during Ghana's prolonged power crisis, prompting calls for a closer examination of the Ghanaian side's conduct, including the actions of officials involved in negotiations, approval, or facilitation of the deal.

However, Hammond insists that Dr. Donkor should not be held accountable for any alleged misconduct by individuals who may have acted independently or on his behalf without authorization. Dr. Donkor served as Power Minister during the negotiation of the deal and resigned from government on December 31, 2015. He has categorically denied any meeting with Berko, making financial demands, or receiving any payments related to the transaction.

The US Office of the Special Prosecutor has assisted in the investigation, and the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) is also probing the Ghanaian aspect of the case, including the tracing of any assets or proceeds linked to alleged criminal activity. Hammond emphasized that the trip was a legitimate technical inspection undertaken by Ghana to urgently secure reliable power-generation equipment during the Dumsor crisis.