Ghana’s former Minister of Power, Dr Kwabena Donkor, has forcefully denied receiving any financial inducements from former Goldman Sachs banker Asante Berko following the latter’s conviction in the United States over a foreign bribery scheme.
The denial was disclosed by legal practitioner and activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor, who revealed in a social media statement that the former minister contacted him directly to clarify his standing amidst mounting press interest.
According to Mr Barker-Vormawor, Dr Donkor “denied categorically that he had received any money from Mr Berko” and maintained that “he had never interacted with the man.”
The former minister reportedly added that as a cadre committed to core revolutionary ideals, “he did not and would not betray his country in that manner.”
The conversation follows the recent conviction of Mr Berko by US authorities for conspiring to bribe Ghanaian officials to secure approvals for an energy project.
Analysing the official release from American law enforcement, Mr Barker-Vormawor pointed out a distinct nuance in the allegations regarding the former minister.
He noted that while the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) detailed discussions involving a potential payment, the official communications stopped short of asserting that the money was ever transferred.
“In respect of the Minister it said ‘In April 2015, Berko and the conspirators discussed paying $1 million to the Minister of Power who was responsible for securing key approvals enabling the project to progress,'” Mr Barker-Vormawor observed.
He added, “There was nothing in that statement that said that 1 million was in fact paid. But when it came to other public officials however, the statement was a lot more categorical,” referencing separate allegations that five officials received $5,000 each during a trip to Turkey.
Dr Donkor has welcomed news of upcoming local inquiries, expressing confidence that a thorough investigation will ultimately clear his name.
On the advice of his legal team, the former minister is currently refraining from detailed public commentary, though a formal statement from his lawyers is expected shortly.
The fallout from the US prosecution has placed renewed scrutiny on Ghanaian anti-graft bodies.
The FBI acknowledged working closely with the International Cooperation Unit of Ghana’s Office of the Attorney-General and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to assist the American prosecution.
Following these developments, Ghana’s Attorney-General confirmed plans to collaborate with US partners to investigate the domestic elements of the bribery scheme.
Meanwhile, the OSP confirmed its support to the FBI, though questions remain regarding the pace of independent local proceedings up to this point.
Emphasising the public interest at stake, Mr Barker-Vormawor stressed that the matter must be pursued to its logical conclusion domestically.
He stated that the case “is not a matter that can or will be allowed to die without proper investigation,” calling for transparency as local authorities begin their formal inquiries into the affair.
Below is the full statement from Barker-Vormawor
- Yesterday, Dr Kwabena Donkor, Former Minister of Power called me to discuss the Berko conviction and the media interest in the matter.
- We had a long and frank chat.
- The Former Minister denied categorically that he had received any money from Mr Berko; and said that he had never interacted with the man.
- He added that as a cadre committed to the ideals of the revolution, he did not and would not betray his country in that manner.
- I was frank. I told him that when I first heard the news, i immediately thought it was him because his name was the only one anyone will associate with the Ministry of Power; I didn’t actually remember he was not the only one. I said I was very disappointed personally. Because I have over the years held him up as an example of ethical leadership. Not many public servants promise to resign when they don’t solve a crisis and actually follow through. So I don’t take his call for granted. And hope that the promised investigation establishes the truth of what actually happened.
- He said, he welcomed the news of an impending investigation and believes it will clear him. He mentioned that he had been advised by his lawyers not to speak publicly on the matter; but that they will soon issue a statement on the issue.
- He drew my attention to a couple of things and had some views on what could possibly have happened. But these are things that any investigation should and will establish. So I won’t speak further on those.
- This is what I will say however, when I read the FBI’s statement on the conviction of Mr Berko – it said he had been convicted of “conspiring to pay; and also paying”. And in respect of the Minister it said “In April 2015, Berko and the conspirators discussed paying $1 million to the Minister of Power who was responsible for securing key approvals enabling the project to progress.”
- There was nothing in that statement that said that 1 million was in fact paid. But When it came to other public officials however, the statement was a lot more categorical. “Bribes were also paid to five Ghanaian officials during an all-expenses-paid trip to Turkey to view equipment for the power plant, during which the officials each received $5,000.”
- But that’s public statement not the evidence. So not much stock to be placed on that. What is clear though is that now the US ORAL side is done.
- The FBI statement indicates that they “worked with the International Cooperation Unit of the Office of the Attorney-General of Ghana, and Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor, to provide significant assistance to this prosecution”.
- I note that the AG has since issued a statement indicating that they will work with the US partners to also investigate the Ghana side of the deal. And the OSP has also released a statement saying that they “provided significant assistance to” the FBI, without saying anything about why it hadn’t done anything all this while on the Ghana side of the issue.
- This is not a matter that can or will be allowed to die without proper investigation. We hope to hear more soon from the Ghana side of the ORAL.
Still I believe in ORAL.
Shalom
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana