Former Power Minister Kwabena Donkor's Lawyer Says He Hasn't Been Instructed on OSP Contact

Key Takeaways

• The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) are investigating the Aksa Energy bribery allegations.
• Former Power Minister Kwabena Donkor's lawyer, K.T. Hammond, says he hasn't been instructed on whether the OSP has contacted his client.
• Dr Donkor denies any improper conduct in the transaction and categorically denies meeting Asante Berko or negotiating with him.

The Aksa Energy controversy has drawn renewed attention to the roles of government officials and other stakeholders involved in the power procurement process. The OSP and EOCO are taking an interest in the matter, with investigations expected to establish whether any Ghanaian officials were involved in alleged improper payments and whether any offences were committed.

Dr Kwabena Donkor, a former Minister for Power, has been at the center of the controversy surrounding the Aksa Energy power agreement. The agreement, which was negotiated during his tenure as Minister, has been met with allegations of bribery and improper payments.

Background & Context

The Aksa Energy power agreement was signed in 2015 between the Ghanaian government and Aksa Energy. The agreement was meant to provide a 400-megawatt power plant to help address Ghana's energy needs. However, the deal has been marred by controversy, with allegations of bribery and improper payments.

Dr Donkor served as Minister responsible for Power at the time the agreement was negotiated. His role in the transaction has been the subject of scrutiny, with allegations that he may have demanded or received money in connection with the deal.

Key Findings

Dr Donkor's lawyer, K.T. Hammond, has maintained that his client accepts having played an oversight role in the transaction but denies any improper conduct. He has also categorically denied that Dr Donkor met with Asante Berko or negotiated with him.

Mr Hammond has explained that Dr Donkor supervised activities at the ministry and ensured that the agreement was prepared for transmission to Parliament for ratification. He has also defended the involvement of technical officials who travelled to Istanbul to inspect equipment intended for the power project.

Broader Implications

The Aksa Energy controversy has far-reaching implications for Ghana's energy sector. The deal has highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability in the power procurement process.

The investigations by the OSP and EOCO are expected to establish whether any Ghanaian officials were involved in alleged improper payments and whether any offences were committed. The outcome of these investigations will have significant implications for the country's energy sector and the role of government officials in the power procurement process.

Looking Ahead

The Aksa Energy controversy is a stark reminder of the need for greater transparency and accountability in Ghana's energy sector. The government and other stakeholders must ensure that the investigations are thorough and that any wrongdoing is punished accordingly.

The outcome of these investigations will have significant implications for the country's energy sector and the role of government officials in the power procurement process. It is essential that the government takes concrete steps to address the issues highlighted by this controversy and to ensure that the power procurement process is transparent and accountable.