Dr Kofi Amoah, a prominent economist and former NDC MP, has issued a direct challenge to President John Dramani Mahama to intensify investigations into Ghanaian officials implicated in the Berko corruption case, which centers around former Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) Managing Director Asante Kwaku Berko. In a recent commentary on social media, Dr. Amoah highlights the US federal jury’s conviction of Mr. Berko as a crucial opportunity for Ghana to demonstrate its commitment to combating corruption, a point he argues must be prioritized alongside existing anti-corruption institutions like the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) and the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
The case, stemming from a power plant transaction between Ghana and Turkish energy company Aksa Energy, involved payments totaling over $1 million to these officials to secure approvals for the Berko project. Prosecutors allege that Mr. Berko and his co-conspirators allegedly channeled these funds through bribes, with payments discussed in connection to Ghana’s Minister of Power and a senior advisor, who had ratified the agreement. The US Department of Justice has not yet identified the specific Ghanaian officials involved in the latest conviction announcement.
According to the US Department of Justice, Mr. Berko was involved in a power plant transaction between the Government of Ghana and Aksa Energy, while serving as an Executive Director in Goldman Sachs’ Investment Banking Division. The prosecution alleges that Mr. Berko and his associates paid more than $1 million in bribes to Ghanaian government officials to secure approvals for the power project. The prosecution further alleges that payments were discussed in connection with Ghana’s then Minister of Power, a senior adviser, and Members of Parliament who had ratified the agreement.
The call follows the US authorities’ recent conviction of Mr. Berko in the United States, which includes charges including conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Dr. Amoah contends that the US judicial process, with cooperation from the United Kingdom, has provided vital evidence that could help Ghana identify individuals and parliamentarians who may be involved in the alleged bribery scheme. He stated, “Our country has become a looting ground for the powerful while the ordinary people suffer and retrogress regardless of how hard they work,” He also links the matter to President Mahama’s anti-corruption agenda, particularly the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative, and challenges the President to demonstrate that the government’s anti-corruption campaign applies regardless of the political affiliation of those implicated.
Dr. Amoah appeals to President Mahama to not allow the opportunity to pass, describing it as a potentially historic moment to confront corruption within government ministries and Parliament. He declared, “The people who seem culpable in the ‘dumsor’ corruption judgement by a US court seem to be largely, not exclusively, from the ruling political party,” He further argued that tackling corruption was essential to Ghana’s long-term development and called on the government to ensure that those found culpable face the consequences of their actions. ‘Cleanse Ghana of corruption so that Nkrumah’s independence for Ghana can meet Mahama’s freedom from corruption and our dear country can really start her journey for progress on a sound and hopeful footing,’ he said.
Dr. Amoah concluded by urging President Mahama to seize what he described as a unique opportunity to demonstrate through action that corruption would not be tolerated, regardless of who may be implicated. The US Government through its Judicial Service has gifted to the Government and people of Ghana a torchlight and case records to proceed in identifying high-level Ghanaian officials and parliamentarians who participated and/or benefited from the… The US Govt thru its Judicial Service has gifted to the Govt and people of Ghana a torchlight and case records to proceed in identifying high-level Ghanaian officials and parliamentarians who participated and/or benefited from the…”
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Source: Adom Online
