TOR MD denies US$2.5 million US SEC bribery claim

The Managing Director of the Tema Oil Refinery, Mr Asante Berko, who has been accused by the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America of having arranged a US$2.5 million bribe for some Ghanaian government officials and MPs in connection with helping a Turkish firm secure a power purchase agreement deal in Ghana, has denied the allegation.

The former Goldman Sachs banker, according to the US SEC, allegedly made the payments in 2015 and 2016.

But, Mr. Berko, in a statement, that the claims against him were false.


“While it is true that the SEC has just this week issued such proceedings against me, the allegations that government officials and members of Parliament were bribed by me are completely false.”


“I state categorically that I have not paid any bribes to government officials, Members of Parliament nor any officials of Parliament. I have had no contact with Members of Parliament nor officials of Parliament, regarding the approval of this transaction,” his statement read as captured in full above.