OSP Provided Key Evidence That Helped Secure Conviction of Former TOR MD Asante Berko in US

By: Ebenezer Adu-Gyamfi / Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada | August 10,2026

Ghana’s fight against corruption has gained an international dimension following the conviction in the United States of former Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) Managing Director Asante Kwaku Berko, with Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) revealing that it provided key investigative and evidentiary assistance to American authorities.

The development represents a significant moment in Ghana’s cooperation with international law enforcement agencies and highlights how investigations conducted in Ghana can contribute to major criminal prosecutions abroad.

Berko, a Ghanaian-American businessman and former Goldman Sachs executive, was convicted by a US federal jury in Brooklyn, New York, after a nine-day trial over his alleged role in a bribery scheme connected to the financing of a major power plant project in Ghana.

According to the US Department of Justice, Berko was convicted of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), violating the FCPA and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He faces a possible maximum sentence of 30 years in prison when he is sentenced in November.

OSP’s Role in the US Investigation

The OSP disclosed that it assisted the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) with investigative information and evidence that contributed to the US prosecution.

The disclosure is significant because the case involved alleged conduct spanning multiple jurisdictions, including Ghana and the United States.

The OSP’s involvement demonstrates the increasingly international nature of financial crime investigations, particularly where suspected corruption involves cross-border transactions, international financial institutions and foreign companies.

Rather than operating independently, investigators in Ghana and the United States were able to share information relevant to the prosecution.

The cooperation ultimately helped US authorities build their case against Berko.

What the US Court Heard

According to evidence presented during the trial, Berko became involved in efforts to arrange financing between a Turkish energy company and the Government of Ghana for the construction and financing of a power plant.

The project was being pursued during a period when Ghana was experiencing serious electricity shortages.

US prosecutors alleged that Berko and his co-conspirators arranged payments of more than US$1 million in bribes to Ghanaian government officials in an effort to secure approval for the project.

Prosecutors also alleged that five Ghanaian government officials received US$5,000 each during an all-expenses-paid trip to Turkey to inspect equipment connected to the proposed project.

The allegations presented in the US courtroom painted a picture of a complex scheme involving several individuals and financial transactions across different countries.

How the Alleged Payments Were Concealed

One of the most serious aspects of the case involved allegations that efforts were made to conceal the payments.

US prosecutors told the court that shell companies, fraudulent invoices, nominee bank accounts and cash withdrawals were allegedly used to disguise the movement of money.

The US Department of Justice further alleged that some of the funds passed through accounts in the United States and other countries, including accounts associated with Berko.

Prosecutors also argued that Berko concealed aspects of the transaction from Goldman Sachs, where he was an executive at the time.

Goldman Sachs eventually withdrew from the transaction after concerns relating to corruption emerged.

A Power Project at the Centre of the Case

The allegations are linked to a proposed power plant project pursued at a time when Ghana was battling a severe electricity crisis.

The country’s energy challenges had created significant pressure on government to secure additional generation capacity.

According to the US prosecution, Berko was involved in efforts to facilitate financing for the project and allegedly used his position and connections to advance the transaction.

Ghana’s Parliament subsequently approved the power plant agreement in July 2015.

However, prosecutors presented emails and other evidence during the US trial that they said showed discussions between Berko and alleged co-conspirators regarding illicit payments connected to the project.

Berko’s Conviction

After the nine-day trial before Judge Diane Gujarati of the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York, the jury found Berko guilty on the corruption and money-laundering-related counts.

The conviction is a major development in a case that has attracted attention in both Ghana and the United States.

It also illustrates the reach of US anti-corruption laws, particularly the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which allows American authorities to prosecute certain forms of corruption involving international business transactions.

Berko is expected to be sentenced in November 2026, with the offences carrying a potential maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

Ghana May Not Be Finished With the Case

The conviction could have consequences beyond Berko himself.

Ghana’s Deputy Attorney-General, Justice Srem-Sai, has disclosed that Attorney-General Dominic Ayine is engaging US authorities as part of efforts to pursue other individuals allegedly connected to the bribery scheme.

That means the US conviction could potentially provide additional information for investigations in Ghana.

Authorities are particularly interested in determining whether other individuals participated in or benefited from the alleged transactions.

However, any person who may subsequently be investigated or prosecuted remains entitled to due process, and allegations should not be treated as proof of guilt unless established before a competent court.

A Test of International Anti-Corruption Cooperation

The case demonstrates why cooperation between countries has become increasingly important in the fight against financial crime.

Modern corruption cases can involve money moving through several countries, companies incorporated in different jurisdictions and transactions conducted through international financial institutions.

A single country’s investigators may therefore be unable to establish the complete picture without assistance from foreign counterparts.

The cooperation between Ghanaian authorities and the US appears to have been particularly important in this case, with the OSP’s evidence contributing to the American prosecution.

Implications for Ghana

The case has also reopened questions about accountability surrounding major public contracts.

The alleged bribery scheme was connected to a major infrastructure project involving Ghana’s power sector and government officials.

For Ghana, the broader issue goes beyond the conviction of one individual.

It raises questions about how major public projects are negotiated, how officials involved in such transactions are monitored and what safeguards exist to prevent private interests from influencing public decisions.

Strong procurement systems, transparent contracting processes and effective oversight remain essential if Ghana is to reduce the risk of corruption in major infrastructure projects.

A Significant Moment for the OSP

For the Office of the Special Prosecutor, the disclosure also provides an example of its international investigative role.

The office was established to investigate and prosecute corruption and corruption-related offences, including cases involving public officials and public institutions.

Its cooperation with US investigators demonstrates that Ghana’s anti-corruption institutions can play a role in cases that eventually reach foreign courts.

The Asante Berko case could therefore become an important reference point for future international cooperation on corruption and financial crime.

What Happens Next?

With Berko’s conviction secured, attention will now turn to his sentencing in November and to any further investigations that may emerge from the evidence presented during the US trial.

The Attorney-General’s engagement with American authorities could also determine whether additional individuals connected to the alleged scheme face scrutiny.

For Ghanaian authorities, the case presents an opportunity to strengthen international partnerships and pursue financial crimes that cross national borders.

For the public, it is another reminder that corruption allegations involving major public projects can have consequences far beyond Ghana’s borders.

As the legal process continues in the United States and Ghanaian authorities examine the wider implications of the case, the Asante Berko prosecution is likely to remain a major story in Ghana’s ongoing fight against corruption.

GhanaianNewsCanada will continue to monitor the case and provide updates on the sentencing, further investigations and any developments involving other individuals connected to the alleged bribery scheme.