The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has highlighted its growing role in international anti-corruption enforcement, revealing that it provided crucial investigative and evidentiary assistance that contributed to the conviction of former Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) Managing Director Asante Kwaku Berko in the United States.
In a public notice issued on Monday, August 10, 2026, the OSP said it collaborated with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) under Ghana’s mutual legal assistance framework during the investigation and prosecution of the bribery case.
According to the OSP, the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) formally acknowledged Ghana’s assistance, describing it as “significant assistance to this prosecution.”
The collaboration was carried out largely behind the scenes, with the OSP providing investigative support and evidence to US authorities as they pursued allegations involving Mr Berko.
The case culminated in Mr Berko’s conviction by a federal jury in Brooklyn, New York, on August 6, 2026. He was found guilty of conspiring to pay and paying more than US$1 million in bribes to multiple Ghanaian officials between 2014 and 2015.
The bribery scheme was linked to the development and financing of a power plant project in Ghana under an agreement involving the Government of Ghana and Turkish energy company Aksa Enerji Uretim A.S., which was a client of US investment bank Goldman Sachs.
The OSP said the outcome demonstrates the effectiveness of international cooperation in tackling cross-border corruption and financial crimes.
It noted that mutual legal assistance arrangements enable law enforcement agencies across jurisdictions to share evidence, intelligence and investigative support, thereby strengthening efforts to prosecute complex corruption cases that span multiple countries.
The office said the case underscores the importance of coordinated anti-corruption efforts and reflects Ghana’s contribution to international law enforcement collaboration.
Mr Berko, who holds dual Ghanaian and United States citizenship, faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. He is expected to appear before the US court on November 10, 2026, for sentencing.
