NPP Demands Immediate Action Against Persons Linked to Asante Berko Bribery Case
NPP says authorities should act swiftly instead of launching another investigation into the case.
- NPP demands swift action
- EOCO probes Ghana’s side
- US conviction triggers scrutiny.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called on the government to take immediate action against individuals allegedly implicated in the bribery case involving former Goldman Sachs banker and former Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) Managing Director, Asante Kwaku Berko.
The opposition party says authorities should act on information that has emerged from proceedings in the United States rather than launch what it considers another investigation into the matter.
Speaking in an interview, NPP Deputy General Secretary Haruna Mohammed argued that the US proceedings had already established sufficient facts to warrant action against persons named in the case.
“People are named. These are known people. They should go and deal with them. But we have been told that they are going to investigate. Investigate what?” he said.
Mr Mohammed also criticised the government’s handling of corruption-related allegations and called for greater transparency and decisive action where public officials or individuals linked to major government projects are concerned.
The NPP’s demand follows the conviction of Mr Berko by a US federal jury in Brooklyn over charges linked to a bribery scheme involving Ghanaian government officials in connection with a power plant project.
Meanwhile, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has commenced investigations into the Ghanaian aspect of the case.
The investigation will focus, among other things, on tracing funds and assets that may be connected to suspected criminal conduct arising from the alleged bribery scheme.
EOCO, however, has stressed that Mr Berko’s conviction in the United States does not automatically establish criminal liability for individuals in Ghana.
The agency said persons whose names emerge from evidence obtained through international cooperation will be assessed independently in accordance with Ghanaian law.
The development has intensified calls for Ghanaian authorities to determine the extent of any involvement by local officials and establish whether offences were committed in connection with the Aksa Energy power project.
