Former Power Minister Dr Kwabena Donkor has rejected allegations that he was involved in a bribery scheme for which former Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) Managing Director and Goldman Sachs banker Asante Kwaku Berko has been convicted in the United States.

In a statement issued through his lawyers, Dr Donkor said he was unaware of the allegations being circulated on social media and denied ever asking for, demanding or receiving money from Mr Berko or any other person.

His lawyers said their client had no knowledge of any request for payment allegedly made in connection with him and insisted that he had never authorised anyone to solicit money or personal benefits on his behalf.

Dr Donkor, however, confirmed that he was the Minister responsible for Power during the period covered by the US case, when the government was negotiating with Turkish energy company Aksa Enerji Uretim A.S., also referred to in the statement as ASKA Energy, over the development of a power plant in Ghana.

According to his lawyers, the negotiations took place amid a severe electricity crisis and extensive load-shedding, commonly known as “dumsor.”

They explained that, as part of the process, a technical delegation comprising officials from relevant power-sector institutions travelled to Istanbul, Turkey, to inspect equipment intended for the proposed power project.

The lawyers described the trip as part of the normal pre-shipment inspection process.

Dr Donkor, however, maintains that he never met Mr Berko during the negotiations and has never met him.

He also denies having discussed any personal payment or benefit with Mr Berko or any other individual in relation to the project.

The former minister further stated that if anyone demanded money while using his name, such a person would have been acting for their own benefit and without his authority.

His lawyers also questioned the suggestion that references made during the US trial to funds allegedly being sought for a “Senior Ghana Official” amounted to evidence implicating Dr Donkor.

They said, based on their client’s understanding, no evidence presented during the trial established that he personally requested, received or benefited from any payment in cedis, dollars or any other form.

The statement comes after a federal jury in Brooklyn, New York, convicted Mr Berko on August 6, 2026, over his role in a bribery scheme involving Ghanaian government officials.

Mr Berko was found guilty of conspiring to pay and paying more than US$1 million in bribes in connection with efforts to secure a power plant deal in Ghana. The case also involved allegations that illicit payments were channelled through the US financial system.

Dr Donkor’s lawyers have consequently cautioned individuals and media organisations against publishing allegations they consider defamatory or damaging to his reputation.

They said their client would take immediate legal action against any publication or statement that, in their view, wrongly impugns his integrity.

Dr Donkor’s lawyers maintain that the allegations circulating against him are not supported by evidence presented during the US proceedings, as far as their client is aware.