AKSA power deal: Baffour Awuah says alleged bribery exposes serious failures in Ghana’s systems

Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has called on Ghana to confront its accountability deficit following the controversy surrounding the AKSA power deal. During an appearance on JoyNews' Newsfile, Dafeamekpor argued that it is not enough for accountability to end when public officials leave office. Instead, he urged for renewed investigations into the AKSA deal and appropriate sanctions if breaches are found.

The controversy stems from a US criminal case involving former Goldman Sachs banker Asante Kwaku Berko, who is alleged to have bribed Ghanaian officials in connection with the power project. Dafeamekpor stressed that Ghana should not solely rely on US proceedings but should also conduct its own inquiry. He pointed out that the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) provided substantial investigative assistance to US authorities, suggesting that Ghanaian institutions already possess relevant information.

Dafeamekpor emphasized the need for a domestic inquiry to determine if Ghanaian laws were breached and if any Ghanaian actors should face consequences. He also criticized Ghana's approach to public accountability, noting that the country frequently discusses allegations of corruption but fails to impose meaningful sanctions. Dafeamekpor urged that public officials and former office-holders should be held accountable for their actions, regardless of when they left office.

The AKSA controversy has been ongoing for over a decade, and Dafeamekpor believes Ghana must pursue the investigation with urgency to establish the facts and bring about meaningful consequences.