Ghana’s former power minister, Dr. Kwabena Donkor, has denied meeting former Goldman Sachs banker Asante Kwaku Berko or receiving a bribe from him to influence the selection of Turkish energy company Aksa Enerji Uretim A.S. to construct a power plant in Ghana in 2015.
Donkor’s denial follows the conviction of Berko by a federal jury in Brooklyn, New York, in a bribery case involving payments to Ghanaian officials in connection with a power project.
Donkor’s name and photograph, along with those of some current and former members of parliament, were circulated on social media over the weekend following Berko’s conviction.
The case has prompted public and media discussion in Ghana, with speculation over the identities of Ghanaian officials allegedly linked to the case.
In a statement issued on Monday through his lawyers, Cavendish Chambers, Donkor said allegations linking him to the U.S. case were false and had gained traction on social media following Berko’s conviction.
“Our client has absolutely no knowledge about the allegations linked to him,” the statement said, adding that Donkor “completely and emphatically denies any knowledge of a request or demand for any money as alleged.”
Donkor acknowledged that he was minister for power during the period in question and said the ministry negotiated with Turkish energy company AKSA Energy during Ghana’s power crisis, popularly known as “dumsor”.
According to the statement, the negotiations formed part of the government’s efforts to secure emergency power generation during a period of severe nationwide power shortages.
Donkor said the procurement process included a technical team made up of stakeholders in the electricity sector travelling to Istanbul, Turkey, to inspect equipment before it was shipped to Ghana.
He described the inspection as standard pre-shipment practice.
He said, however, that he never met Berko during the negotiations.
“At no point in the course of this negotiation did he once set eyes on Mr. Asante Berko, nor has he since,” his lawyers said.
The statement said Donkor had never met Berko, discussed or sought any personal financial benefit from him or any other person, authorised anyone to solicit money on his behalf, or received money or any other personal benefit from Berko or anyone else.
It also said Donkor could not be held responsible if anyone had used his name to solicit money for personal gain.
The lawyers said they were not aware of any evidence presented at the U.S. trial linking Donkor to demands for or receipt of money.
“Our client does not understand that any evidence was led in the U.S. trial which linked him with demanding or receiving any money, cedis or dollars, or anything of value to him personally,” the statement said.
Cavendish Chambers said it would take legal action against any publication that suggested Donkor was involved in the alleged bribery or sought to damage his reputation.
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