‘I’ve never met, demanded or received money from Asante Berko’ – Kwabena Donkor

Former Power Minister Dr Kwabena Donkor has strongly denied allegations linking him to the bribery case involving former Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) Managing Director and ex-Goldman Sachs banker Asante Kwaku Berko.

Dr Donkor, through his lawyers, said he has “absolutely no knowledge” of allegations circulating on social media suggesting that he demanded or received money in connection with the power plant deal involving Turkish energy company Aksa Enerji.

In a statement issued on his behalf, the former minister emphatically denied ever requesting, demanding or receiving money or any other personal benefit from Mr Berko or anyone acting in connection with the transaction.

Dr Donkor's lawyers said their client had never met Mr Berko and had no personal discussions with him concerning financial benefits.

Our client instructs us in very crystal clear language that he has absolutely no knowledge about the allegations linked to him. He completely and emphatically denies any knowledge of a request or demand for any money as alleged,” the lawyers stated.

They further said Dr Donkor had never authorised anyone to negotiate or request money on his behalf.

According to the statement, any individual who may have allegedly demanded money while claiming to be acting for a senior government official would have been acting for their own benefit.

Dr Donkor's lawyers also said their client was not aware of evidence presented during the US trial directly establishing that he demanded or received money.

While rejecting the bribery allegations, Dr Donkor acknowledged that he was the Minister responsible for Power during the period covered by the US prosecution.

His lawyers confirmed that the government, through the Ministry of Power, engaged Aksa Enerji in negotiations to generate electricity for Ghana during the country's severe power crisis, popularly known as “Dumsor.”

Our client also admits that the State, through his then Ministry, the Ministry of Power, negotiated with ASKA Energy for the generation of electric power in Ghana during the relevant period,” the statement said.

The lawyers said the negotiations took place during a period of extreme load-shedding and a serious power emergency.

They explained that, as part of the negotiations, a technical team comprising representatives of relevant institutions in Ghana's power sector travelled to Istanbul, Turkey, to inspect equipment intended for the proposed electricity generation project.

The lawyers described the trip as a standard technical and pre-shipment inspection process rather than evidence of wrongdoing.

One of the strongest points in Dr Donkor's response was his claim that he never met Mr Berko during the negotiations.

According to our client, at no point in the course of this negotiation did he once set eyes on the said Mr Asante Berko nor has he since,” the lawyers said.

They added that Dr Donkor had never discussed any personal financial benefit with Berko or any other person connected to the transaction.

The former minister also denied receiving money, gifts or any other benefit related to the power project.

He never received any money in any denomination or any personal benefit of any value from Mr Asante Berko or any other person,” the statement added.

Dr Donkor's legal team also rejected suggestions that references made during the US trial to payments intended for a “Senior Ghana Official” automatically implicated their client.

According to the lawyers, the fact that another person may have claimed to be seeking money for the benefit of a senior official did not constitute proof that Dr Donkor himself had demanded or received a bribe.

He does not accept that evidence that some other person or persons claimed that they required money from their principals for the benefit of ‘Senior Ghana Official’ or any other title holder metamorphosed into any evidence of criminality or wrongdoing against him,” the statement said.

The lawyers maintained that, based on their client's understanding of the US proceedings, no evidence had been presented directly linking him to the alleged demand or receipt of illicit payments.

Dr Donkor's lawyers issued a strong warning against publications or statements they believe could damage his reputation or integrity.

They said any publication that contradicts their client's position or seeks to portray him as having participated in the alleged bribery scheme could trigger legal action. Any publication or statement of any kind which could be interpreted as contrary to the instructions clearly stated above and which will seek to impugn on the reputation and integrity of our client SHALL result in immediate legal proceedings,” they warned.

The statement was issued as scrutiny intensifies in Ghana following the conviction of Mr Berko in the United States.

A US federal jury in Brooklyn convicted Asante Kwaku Berko on August 6, 2026, on charges relating to a bribery scheme involving Ghanaian government officials and the development and financing of a power plant.

Berko, a dual citizen of Ghana and the United States and former Goldman Sachs investment banker, was convicted of conspiracy to violate the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), violating the FCPA and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

US prosecutors alleged that Berko and his associates conspired to pay more than US$1 million in bribes to Ghanaian officials between 2014 and 2015 to facilitate a power project involving Aksa Enerji, a Turkish energy company and Goldman Sachs client.

Prosecutors also alleged that illicit payments were concealed through shell companies, sham invoices, nominee accounts and other financial arrangements.

Berko faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 10, 2026.

The conviction has prompted renewed calls for Ghanaian authorities to investigate the local dimension of the case and establish whether any individuals in Ghana should face prosecution or other sanctions.

The Attorney-General, Dr Dominic Ayine, has indicated that Ghanaian authorities are working with their US counterparts to examine persons implicated in the alleged bribery scheme.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor has also disclosed that it provided investigation and evidentiary assistance to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation during the case.

The OSP said the US Department of Justice had acknowledged its assistance as “significant” to the prosecution.

The latest denial by Dr Donkor adds another layer to the growing debate over the Ghanaian officials allegedly connected to the power project and whether evidence presented in the US case warrants further action in Ghana.

For now, Dr Donkor maintains that he neither demanded nor received any bribe and that he had no personal dealings with Berko. Any further determination of the facts will depend on investigations by the relevant Ghanaian authorities and any additional evidence obtained through international cooperation.