Former Power Minister Dr Kwabena Donkor has strongly denied any involvement in allegations of bribery linked to the United States case involving former Goldman Sachs banker Asante Berko.
In a statement issued by his lawyers, Cavendish Chambers, Dr Donkor said he has no knowledge of any allegations connecting him to a request or demand for money in relation to the matter.
The statement was signed by K.T. Hammond, Head of Chambers at Cavendish Chambers.
The legal team said Dr Donkor acknowledges that he was the Minister responsible for Power during the period in question, a position they said is a matter of public record.
According to the lawyers, the Ministry of Power, under Dr Donkor, engaged ASKA Energy in negotiations for the generation of electricity in Ghana during the period of severe power shortages popularly known as Dumsor.
The statement said that, as part of the negotiations, a technical team comprising representatives of relevant electricity-sector stakeholders travelled to Istanbul, Turkey, to inspect equipment intended for electricity generation in Ghana.
The lawyers described the inspection as a standard pre-shipment procedure.
Dr Donkor, however, insists that he never met Asante Berko during the negotiations and has not met him since.
His lawyers said their client maintains that he has never met Mr Berko, discussed any personal financial benefit with him or any other person, or authorised anyone to negotiate such a benefit on his behalf.
The former minister also denies receiving any money or personal benefit from Mr Berko or anyone else in connection with the matter.
According to the statement, Dr Donkor further maintains that if any individual demanded money in his name, such a person would have acted for their own benefit and without his authorisation.
The lawyers also disputed any suggestion that evidence presented during the US trial established criminal wrongdoing by Dr Donkor.
They said references during the proceedings to individuals allegedly seeking money from their principals for the benefit of a “Senior Ghana Official” should not automatically be interpreted as evidence that Dr Donkor demanded or received money.
Cavendish Chambers said Dr Donkor has instructed the firm to formally notify the public of his position and warned that any publication or statement it considers defamatory or damaging to his reputation and integrity could result in legal action.
