Asante Berko case: No evidence Kwabena Donkor received bribe – K.T. Hammond

Kwabena Donkor's lawyer, K.T. Hammond, has stated that his client cannot be held accountable for any alleged corruption linked to former Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) boss Asante Berko. This assertion was made on JoyNews’ Top Story on Monday, August 10, 2026, in response to questions concerning the bribery scandal involving Berko and a power project during the previous administration.

Berko, a former Goldman Sachs banker and TOR's Managing Director, has been accused by US authorities of facilitating millions in bribes to sway Ghanaian officials regarding the power project. Hammond argued that these allegations on their own cannot establish any criminal or legal liability against Donkor. He clarified that it is common practice for engineers and technicians to verify the quality of equipment before its importation, and any corrupt deal, if it transpired, would not be attributable to Donkor.

Hammond's remarks come as renewed interest is being focused on the circumstances surrounding the power agreement and the US authorities' allegations against Berko. Donkor served as Power Minister when the agreement was negotiated and signed and has consistently maintained that the deal was not fraudulent, defending the government's decision at the time.