Kwabena Donkor Breaks Silence on $1 Million Bribery Claims in Asante Berko Case

Date: August 10, 2026
By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi/ Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada

Former Ghanaian Minister of Power, Dr. Kwabena Donkor, has strongly denied allegations linking him to a reported US$1 million bribery scheme involving former Goldman Sachs banker and former Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) Managing Director Asante Kwaku Berko.

Dr. Donkor’s denial comes days after a federal jury in Brooklyn, New York, convicted Berko over his role in a corruption scheme involving payments to Ghanaian government officials in connection with a power plant project.

The case has attracted significant attention in Ghana because the alleged bribery scheme dates back to the period of the country’s severe electricity crisis, popularly known as “Dumsor,” when the government was pursuing emergency power arrangements to address electricity shortages.

According to reporting on the U.S. case, prosecutors alleged that more than US$1 million in bribes was arranged or paid to Ghanaian officials in connection with the development and financing of a power plant involving Turkish energy company Aksa Enerji. Berko was convicted on August 6, 2026, on charges including conspiracy to violate the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, a substantive FCPA violation and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Donkor: “I have never met Berko”

Dr. Donkor has now categorically rejected suggestions that he personally participated in the alleged scheme.

In a statement issued through his lawyers, Cavendish Chambers, the former minister said he had never met Asante Berko, never demanded money from him and never received any personal benefit connected to the power project.

His lawyers said Dr. Donkor had “absolutely no knowledge” of the allegations linking him to the U.S. bribery case and had “completely and emphatically” denied any request or demand for money.

Dr. Donkor acknowledged that he was Minister of Power during the period in which the negotiations with Aksa Energy took place. However, he maintained that his official position and involvement in government negotiations should not be interpreted as evidence that he personally participated in any bribery arrangement.

What the lawyers say

According to the statement from Cavendish Chambers, Dr. Donkor maintains that:

• He has never met Asante Berko.
• He never discussed any personal financial benefit with Berko or anyone else in relation to the project.
• He never authorised anyone to negotiate or demand money on his behalf.
• He never received money or any personal benefit from Berko or another person connected to the project.
• If anyone demanded money using his name, such a person would have been acting for their own benefit.

The former minister’s lawyers have also challenged any attempt to equate references in the U.S. proceedings to a “Senior Ghana Official” with evidence that Dr. Donkor personally demanded or received a bribe.

The Aksa Energy power project

The controversy centres on an emergency power agreement between the Government of Ghana and Turkish energy company Aksa Enerji during the country’s electricity crisis.

At the time, Ghana was experiencing prolonged power shortages that affected households, businesses and industries across the country. The government therefore pursued additional generation capacity as part of efforts to stabilise the national power supply.

Dr. Donkor was serving as Minister of Power during the negotiations.

The U.S. prosecution of Berko, however, alleged that the former banker participated in a scheme involving payments to Ghanaian officials to facilitate the power project.

The U.S. court’s conviction of Berko has consequently reopened questions about who the unnamed Ghanaian officials referred to in the prosecution’s evidence were.

Importantly, reporting on the case indicates that the U.S. Department of Justice did not publicly identify Dr. Donkor as the unnamed minister alleged to have been involved, and Dr. Donkor has denied any connection to the alleged bribery.

Turkey trip comes under scrutiny

Dr. Donkor has also responded to questions surrounding a trip by Ghanaian officials to Turkey during the negotiations.

His lawyers explained that a technical team comprising representatives from Ghana’s electricity-sector institutions travelled to Istanbul to inspect equipment intended for the proposed power project.

They described the visit as a normal pre-shipment inspection exercise, rather than evidence of an attempt by Dr. Donkor to solicit personal financial benefits.

The former minister, according to his lawyers, was not part of any alleged effort to obtain money from Berko during the negotiations.

OSP confirms assistance to U.S. authorities

The controversy has also drawn the attention of Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

The OSP has confirmed that it provided investigative and evidentiary assistance to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in connection with the prosecution of Berko.

The Ghanaian anti-corruption agency said its assistance was provided through established mutual legal assistance procedures and that the U.S. Department of Justice acknowledged its contribution to the prosecution.

The development means Ghanaian authorities are now paying renewed attention to the Ghanaian aspects of the case, particularly allegations concerning payments to public officials.

Berko faces up to 30 years in prison

Following his conviction, Asante Kwaku Berko faces a maximum possible sentence of 30 years in prison.

His conviction followed a nine-day trial before U.S. District Judge Diane Gujarati in Brooklyn.

The case involved allegations that Berko, while working as an executive director in Goldman Sachs’ investment banking division, helped facilitate the power project and participated in efforts to bribe Ghanaian officials.

Berko was convicted on all counts brought against him, according to U.S. authorities. His sentencing is scheduled for November 10, 2026.

Donkor threatens legal action over allegations

As speculation over the identity of officials allegedly involved continues to spread, Dr. Donkor’s lawyers have warned against publications or statements that they believe could damage their client’s reputation.

Cavendish Chambers said Dr. Donkor had instructed them to make his position clear and indicated that statements seeking to impugn his integrity could result in legal action.

The warning comes amid intense public discussion and speculation on social media over the identities of the Ghanaian officials allegedly connected to the bribery scheme.

What happens next?

The latest developments are likely to increase pressure on Ghanaian authorities to establish whether any local officials were involved in the alleged corruption surrounding the Aksa Energy project.

However, it is important to distinguish between being mentioned or speculated about in connection with a case and being formally charged or convicted.

As of August 10, 2026, Dr. Kwabena Donkor has publicly denied receiving money or having any improper dealings with Asante Berko. The U.S. conviction in the case concerns Berko, while questions about the identities and possible involvement of other Ghanaian individuals remain subject to further investigation.

The unfolding case could therefore become an important test of Ghana’s ability to investigate alleged corruption involving major public-sector projects, particularly where international authorities have already secured a conviction.

For now, Dr. Donkor maintains that he had no involvement in the alleged bribery scheme and has challenged anyone with contrary evidence to establish the claim through the appropriate legal processes.