The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has escalated its investigation into the Ghanaian dimension of the bribery scandal involving former Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) Managing Director, Asante Kwaku Berko, following his conviction in the United States.
According to a press statement dated August 10, 2026, issued by EOCO’s Corporate Affairs and Public Education Unit for the Acting Executive Director, the decision follows directives from the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice.
The Attorney-General immediately engaged appropriate U.S. authorities to secure official records, court documents, and evidence from the concluded foreign proceedings.
EOCO revealed that its involvement began last year after receiving a request from U.S. counterparts regarding an alleged bribery scheme implicating specific individuals in Ghana, including a former Minister of State and public servants.
The anti-graft body noted that asset tracing and recovery are central to its investigative mandate.
EOCO pledged to follow the financial trail to identify any benefits, properties, or proceeds linked to the alleged criminal conduct, and to pursue lawful measures for their preservation and restitution to the State.
However, EOCO clarified that Mr. Berko’s conviction in the U.S. does not, by itself, establish criminal liability for anyone in Ghana. The Office emphasized that any individual named in evidence obtained through international channels will be assessed independently under Ghanaian law.
The statement comes amid public denials by former Power Minister, Dr. Kwabena Donkor, who rejected claims of requesting or accepting bribes from Mr. Berko.
Asante Berko, a former Goldman Sachs banker, was convicted in a U.S. federal court after going on trial for paying over $1 million in bribes to Ghanaian public officials to secure a power plant contract for a client.
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Source: Michael Eduah / ATLFMNEWS
