The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has identified five persons of interest in its investigation into the Ghanaian side of a bribery case involving former Goldman Sachs banker and former Tema Oil Refinery Managing Director, Asante Kwaku Berko.
Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng named the five during an update on the investigation, while stressing that their identification as persons of interest does not mean they are suspects or have been found guilty of any offence.
The individuals named are:
- Kwabena Donkor, former Minister of Power.
- Francis Walkson Kwasi Dzafa, a former Technical Adviser to the Minister of Power.
- Solomon Adjetey Sowah, a Deputy Director.
- Lyndon Nii Mettle, Director of Tricorp Group Limited.
- Baffour Ankomah Brobbey, an employee of Tricorp Group Limited.
The OSP’s disclosure follows Berko’s conviction in the United States over his role in a bribery scheme linked to the development and financing of a power plant in Ghana.
US conviction triggered renewed scrutiny in Ghana
A federal jury in Brooklyn, New York, convicted Berko on August 6, 2026, in connection with a scheme involving more than US$1 million in bribes to Ghanaian officials.
The case centred on efforts to secure government approvals for a power project involving Turkish energy company Aksa Enerji and the Government of Ghana.
US prosecutors said the scheme took place between 2014 and 2015, when Ghana was experiencing severe power shortages.
Evidence presented during the US trial indicated that Berko and his associates discussed payments intended to influence Ghanaian officials and facilitate approvals needed for the project.
One of the payments discussed was reportedly US$1 million to the then Minister of Power, who had responsibility for key approvals connected to the proposed power plant.
The US proceedings also referenced other payments involving Ghanaian officials and individuals linked to the Ministry of Power.
Turkey trip also featured in US case
Evidence presented in the US proceedings also included references to payments connected to a trip by Ghanaian officials to Turkey to inspect equipment for the proposed power plant.
However, the identities of some of the Ghanaian officials mentioned in the US court documents were not publicly disclosed.
Instead, the individuals were identified using labels such as “Ghana Official 1” and “Ghana Official 2.”
The OSP’s latest announcement provides names of five individuals it considers persons of interest as it continues examining the Ghanaian dimension of the case.
OSP says Ghana investigation is ongoing
The Special Prosecutor said the OSP’s involvement in the matter did not end with assisting US authorities in their investigation and prosecution of Berko.
According to Kissi Agyebeng, the office has continued investigating the Ghanaian component of the alleged bribery scheme.
He said the OSP intends to pursue the matter based on evidence gathered through its own investigations.
The latest development therefore does not constitute an announcement of charges against the five individuals.
Instead, their designation as persons of interest means the OSP considers information concerning them relevant to its ongoing investigation.
Asante Kwaku Berko, a former Goldman Sachs banker who later served as Managing Director of Tema Oil Refinery, became the subject of a major international corruption investigation over allegations connected to a Ghanaian power project.
The US prosecution focused on allegations that Berko and others used bribery payments to influence Ghanaian officials and obtain approvals for the project.
His conviction in Brooklyn has since intensified attention on whether individuals in Ghana may face further scrutiny over their alleged roles in the scheme.
The OSP has indicated that its investigation will proceed based on the evidence available to Ghanaian investigators.
