The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has escalated its investigation into the Ghanaian dimension of the bribery case involving former Goldman Sachs investment banker and former Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) Managing Director, Asante Kwaku Berko.
The development follows Mr Berko’s conviction in the United States in connection with a bribery scheme involving Ghanaian government officials.
In a statement issued on Monday, August 10, 2026, EOCO said it received a request from its US counterparts last year for information on specific individuals in Ghana considered relevant to investigations into the alleged bribery scheme.
The individuals included a former Minister of State and public servants.
EOCO said following the request, it collaborated with the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice to commence preliminary work on the Ghanaian aspects of the case.
The Office also monitored proceedings in the United States, noting that the international nature of the case and evidence emerging from the US trial could help determine the scope and direction of a comprehensive investigation in Ghana.
“Given the nature of the allegations and the international dimensions of the case, EOCO considered the evidence emerging from the U.S. proceedings to be potentially material to determining the appropriate scope and direction of any comprehensive investigation in Ghana,” the Office said.
EOCO stressed that its approach was intended to ensure that any investigation is firmly grounded in evidence and capable of supporting criminal proceedings and asset recovery where appropriate.
The Office said that following the conclusion of the US proceedings and Mr Berko’s conviction, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice engaged the appropriate US authorities to obtain relevant evidence, records and information required to advance the Ghanaian investigation.
According to EOCO, the Attorney-General has subsequently directed the Office to escalate its investigations as the relevant information and official records are obtained from the competent authorities in the United States.
“EOCO has accordingly commenced the process of intensifying its investigation into the Ghanaian dimension of the matter,” it said.
The Office stressed that the investigation would be conducted independently and in accordance with Ghanaian law.
It also cautioned against assuming that Mr Berko’s conviction in the United States automatically establishes criminal liability against any individual in Ghana.
EOCO said any individual whose name appears in evidence obtained through international cooperation would be assessed independently based on the evidence relevant to that person and in accordance with Ghanaian law.
The Office said its collaboration with US law enforcement authorities and the Attorney-General’s Office remains active.
It added that it would not disclose sensitive operational information that could compromise ongoing investigations, the integrity of evidence or any future prosecution.
The development follows the conviction of Mr Berko by a US federal jury in Brooklyn on August 6, 2026.
US prosecutors said Mr Berko conspired to pay more than $1 million in bribes to multiple Ghanaian government officials in connection with the development and financing of a power plant for Turkish energy company Aksa Enerji.
According to the US Department of Justice, the scheme involved payments to officials at various levels of the Ghanaian government to help secure the Turkish company’s bid to build and operate the power plant.
EOCO has assured the public that further information will be provided at the appropriate time as the investigation progresses.
