On Monday, August 10, 2026, former Minister for Power, Dr Kwabena Donkor, vehemently denied any connection to the ‘holy rain’ bribery allegations linking him to the US conviction of former Goldman Sachs banker Kwaku Asante Berko, issuing a clear warning that any subsequent publication suggesting otherwise will attract immediate legal action. His legal team, Cavendish Chambers, stated in a press release that Dr. Donkor’s name had been prominently featured on social media, but insisted that he possessed ‘absolutely no knowledge’ of any request or demand for financial compensation as alleged within the context of the investigation. This denial follows a significant development – Asante Berko, a dual US-Ghanaian citizen and former Managing Director of the Tema Oil Refinery, was recently convicted by a federal jury in Brooklyn, New York, over a scheme to pay more than $1 million in bribes to Ghanaian officials in connection with the development and financing of a power plant in Ghana under a deal with Turkish energy company, Aksa Energy. Asante Berko’s conviction occurred during the height of the ‘dumsor’ load-shedding crisis, a severe electricity shortage crippling Ghana’s energy sector. Asante Berko’s lawyers, Cavendish Chambers, confirmed that Dr. Donkor served as the sitting Minister of Power at the time, and that his ministry engaged with Aksa Energy to negotiate the supply of power during this critical period. According to the statement, a technical team, comprised of stakeholders across the power sector, travelled to Istanbul at the time to conduct routine pre-shipment inspections of equipment. However, they maintained that Dr. Donkor never met Mr. Asante Berko throughout the negotiations, and that no individual authorized or directed any negotiations on his behalf. The lawyers further clarified that Dr. Donkor never permitted anyone to negotiate on his behalf, nor did he receive any money or benefits from Mr. Asante Berko or any other individual. The statement explicitly distanced Dr. Donkor from any references in the US case to a ‘Senior Ghana Official,’ stating that any person attempting to use his name for such demands did so for their own personal gain. The legal team asserted that Dr. Donkor maintained a strict policy of non-negotiation, never authorizing anyone to act on his behalf, and that he had never received any payment or benefit from Mr. Asante Berko or anyone else related to the case. The lawyers emphasized that Dr. Donkor has not been linked to any discussions or references in the US investigation to a ‘Senior Ghana Official’ – a designation suggesting a direct involvement and demand for a benefit from his name. The statement concluded with a firm declaration that Dr. Donkor will vigorously defend himself against any allegations and will pursue all available legal avenues to protect his reputation and interests. The full statement can be accessed through the official Cavendish Chambers website. The legal ramifications of this alleged involvement are expected to be significant, potentially impacting Dr. Donkor’s professional standing and future career. This incident has generated considerable controversy within Ghana’s political landscape, with many questioning the integrity of the investigation and the potential for politically motivated maneuvering.
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Source: Adom Online
