Lawyer for former Power Minister Kwabena Donkor, K.T. Hammond, has rejected attempts to link his client to alleged corruption involving former Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) Managing Director Asante Berko.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Top Story on Monday, August 10, 2026, Mr Hammond argued that allegations of bribery against Mr Berko do not, in themselves, establish any criminal or legal liability on the part of Dr Donkor.
Mr Berko, a former Goldman Sachs banker and former Managing Director of TOR, was accused by US authorities of facilitating millions of dollars in bribes to influence Ghanaian officials in connection with a power project in Ghana.
The allegations have renewed scrutiny of the power agreement, which was negotiated and signed during Dr Donkor’s tenure as Power Minister under the previous administration.
However, Mr Hammond insisted that his client should not be held responsible for alleged misconduct attributed to Mr Berko unless there is specific evidence establishing Dr Donkor’s involvement.
He explained that the inspection and assessment of equipment associated with power projects are routine technical processes undertaken by engineers and other qualified professionals before equipment is brought into the country.
According to the lawyer, any alleged corrupt arrangement surrounding the project would therefore have to be considered separately from the minister’s official responsibilities.
Mr Hammond maintained that there was no basis for assuming that alleged wrongdoing by Mr Berko automatically implicated Dr Donkor simply because the former minister was involved in the broader government process surrounding the project.
The lawyer’s comments come as renewed attention is being focused on the power agreement following allegations contained in proceedings brought by US authorities against Mr Berko.
Dr Donkor, who served as Power Minister when the agreement was negotiated and signed, has previously denied any wrongdoing in relation to the deal.
He has maintained that the agreement was legitimate and defended the government’s decision to proceed with the project at the time.
Mr Hammond’s position is that establishing liability requires evidence directly connecting Dr Donkor to any alleged corrupt conduct, rather than relying solely on the actions or allegations involving Mr Berko.
