Former Power Minister Dr Kwabena Donkor has strongly denied any involvement in bribery allegations circulating on social media in connection with the United States case involving Mr Asante Berko.
In a press release issued by his lawyers, Cavendish Chambers, Dr Donkor stated that he has “absolutely no knowledge” of the claims and “completely and emphatically denies any knowledge of a request or demand for any money as alleged.”
The lawyers confirmed that Dr Donkor was the relevant minister at the time and that his Ministry of Power negotiated with ASKA Energy for electricity generation during the height of Ghana’s power crisis, popularly known as Dumsor. A technical team from power stakeholders was sent to Istanbul, Turkey, for pre-shipment inspection of equipment — a standard practice, the statement noted.
However, Dr Donkor insists he never met Mr Asante Berko at any point during the negotiations or since. He further declared that:
- He has never met Mr Berko in his life;
- He never discussed any personal benefit with him or anyone else;
- He never authorised anyone to discuss such matters on his behalf;
- He never received any money or personal benefit from Berko or any other person; and
- Any person who may have made criminal demands in his name did so for their own benefit.
Dr Donkor also rejected the suggestion that any evidence from the US trial linked him personally to demanding or receiving money or valuables. He does not accept that claims made by others about payments for a “Senior Ghana Official” amount to evidence of wrongdoing against him.
Cavendish Chambers warned that any publication or statement that seeks to impugn Dr Donkor’s reputation and integrity contrary to the above position will attract immediate legal proceedings.
