The Economic and Organised Crime Office has intensified its investigation into the Ghanaian dimension of the bribery case involving former Goldman Sachs investment banker and former Tema Oil Refinery Managing Director, Asante Kwaku Berko, following his conviction in the United States.
The latest development signals a significant expansion of Ghana’s efforts to establish whether individuals or entities within the country may have participated in, benefited from, or facilitated activities connected to the corruption allegations that resulted in Mr Berko’s conviction before a federal jury in New York.
EOCO, in a statement released on Monday, August 10, 2026, disclosed that it received a formal request from its American counterparts last year for information concerning several individuals in Ghana who were regarded as relevant to the investigation. The persons identified in the request included a former Minister of State as well as other public officials.
The Ghanaian anti crime agency subsequently began preliminary investigative activities in cooperation with the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice. EOCO explained that it also maintained close observation of the proceedings in the United States because of the international character of the allegations and the potential evidentiary significance of the American trial.
According to the Office, developments emerging from the United States proceedings were considered potentially important in determining the extent and direction of a comprehensive investigation within Ghana. The approach, EOCO maintained, was intentionally measured because criminal investigations must be supported by credible evidence and conducted in a manner that can withstand judicial scrutiny.
EOCO stressed that its mandate extends beyond simply opening investigations in response to public pressure. Rather, the institution said its responsibility is to establish evidence based cases through lawful investigative procedures and, where circumstances warrant, support criminal prosecution as well as the identification and recovery of assets connected to unlawful activity.
Following the conclusion of the American proceedings and Mr Berko’s conviction, the Attorney General and Minister for Justice engaged the relevant United States authorities to secure records, evidence and other information considered necessary for advancing the Ghanaian component of the investigation.
EOCO said the Attorney General has now instructed the Office to intensify its investigative activities as additional information and official documentation are received through established channels of international cooperation.
The development places renewed attention on the financial and official circumstances surrounding the allegations against Mr Berko. American prosecutors had accused the former investment banker of participating in a scheme involving corrupt payments to Ghanaian officials in connection with the development and financing of a power project in Ghana. The United States Department of Justice had earlier stated that the alleged activities involved the use of financial systems in the United States and elsewhere.
Mr Berko’s conviction in the United States, however, does not automatically establish that any person in Ghana committed a criminal offence. EOCO has therefore made clear that every individual who becomes relevant to the Ghanaian investigation will be examined separately and assessed according to the evidence specifically connected to that person.
The Office emphasised that the presence of an individual’s name in documents, communications or other evidence obtained through international cooperation cannot, by itself, constitute proof of criminal responsibility. Any potential liability must instead be determined in accordance with Ghanaian law and the available evidence.
EOCO has also indicated that financial investigations will form an important component of its continuing work. The Office is expected to examine relevant transactions, beneficiaries, financial movements and assets that could potentially be connected to suspected criminal conduct and, where the evidence and applicable law permit, pursue appropriate measures for the preservation and recovery of such assets.
The agency has nevertheless cautioned that it will not release sensitive operational information while the investigation remains active. According to EOCO, premature disclosure could interfere with investigative activities, compromise the integrity of evidence or adversely affect any prosecution that may eventually arise from the inquiry.
The Office has consequently maintained that its cooperation with American law enforcement authorities and the Attorney General’s Office remains ongoing as investigators examine the information being transmitted through the international cooperation process.
The renewed Ghanaian investigation follows the American court proceedings that culminated in Mr Berko’s conviction after prosecutors presented evidence concerning an alleged bribery arrangement linked to a power plant project in Ghana. The United States case had its origins in allegations relating to the period when Mr Berko worked in investment banking and was involved in a transaction concerning a Turkish energy company and the development and financing of a power facility in Ghana.
With the American proceedings now concluded at the conviction stage, attention has consequently shifted toward Ghana, where investigators are expected to determine whether the evidence supplied by the United States supports further action against any individuals or entities within the country.
EOCO has assured the public that the investigation will proceed independently, lawfully and on the basis of evidence, while additional information will be released when it can be disclosed without undermining the integrity of the investigative process or any potential legal proceedings.
