Asante Kwaku Berko: US Convicts Ghana's TOR Boss in $1M Bribery Case

• Asante Kwaku Berko was found guilty of paying over $1 million in bribes to Ghanaian government officials between 2014 and 2015.
• The conviction was secured through international cooperation between Ghana's OSP and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
• Berko faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison following his conviction, with sentencing set for November 10, 2026.

The involvement of the OSP has been acknowledged by the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) as providing 'significant assistance to this prosecution'.

The conviction of Asante Kwaku Berko in a US bribery case highlights the importance of international cooperation in tackling corruption, particularly when it involves cross-border transactions and public officials. The case demonstrates that mutual legal assistance arrangements can be a powerful tool in complex investigations, enabling law enforcement agencies to obtain and share information and evidence across national borders. This collaboration between Ghana's OSP and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) resulted in a significant outcome, with Berko found guilty of paying over $1 million in bribes to Ghanaian government officials between 2014 and 2015. The case has far-reaching implications for lawyers and compliance officers, who should take note of the practical value of international cooperation in tackling corruption cases.

A federal jury in Brooklyn, New York, delivered a guilty verdict against Asante Kwaku Berko on August 6, 2026. The conviction stems from a scheme to pay bribes to Ghanaian government officials between 2014 and 2015, as part of efforts to secure the development and financing of a power plant in Ghana under an agreement between the Government of Ghana and Turkish energy company Aksa Enerji Uretim A.S. Berko's involvement in this scheme dates back to his time working at Goldman Sachs, where he was a client of Aksa. The OSP's behind-the-scenes support to US authorities contributed significantly to the conviction, with the DoJ acknowledging the agency's assistance as 'significant' in the prosecution.

The case is a testament to the effectiveness of mutual legal assistance arrangements between Ghana and the US. These agreements enable law enforcement agencies to share information and evidence, facilitating complex investigations that cross national borders. The OSP's cooperation with the FBI was conducted largely out of the public eye, with Ghanaian authorities providing crucial evidence and investigative assistance to their US counterparts during the prosecution. This collaboration has set a precedent for international cooperation in tackling corruption cases involving public officials and cross-border commercial transactions.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for the implications of this case on international cooperation in tackling corruption, particularly in cases involving cross-border transactions and public officials.

Source: Original reporting via David Apinga