K.T. Hammond, a lawyer for former Power Minister Dr Kwabena Donkor, has defended the decision by a Ghanaian technical team to travel to Istanbul, Turkey, to inspect equipment linked to the controversial Aksa Energy power deal. The trip took place in connection with the country's efforts to urgently secure reliable power-generation equipment during the Dumsor crisis.
Istanbul Inspection Was Standard Due Diligence, Lawyer Claims
K.T. Hammond said the trip was part of the standard technical due diligence required before major power-generation equipment was shipped to Ghana. Speaking to JoyNews, the lawyer said it was necessary for Ghanaian officials to physically inspect the equipment and establish that it met the required standards and could deliver the expected generation capacity.
"The procedure would always be to get the technical people to go on site and inspect and be sure about the sanctity and integrity of the equipment you are receiving," Hammond said. He maintained that the Istanbul inspection was not a political exercise but an institutional process involving technical personnel from relevant agencies in Ghana's power sector.
Aksa Energy Deal Under Scrutiny Amid US Bribery Case
The Aksa Energy deal was concluded during Ghana's prolonged power crisis, when the government was seeking additional generation capacity to address persistent electricity shortages. The US prosecution of Asante Kwaku Berko, former Tema Oil Refinery Managing Director, has since triggered renewed calls for scrutiny of the Ghanaian side of the transaction, including the conduct of officials who were involved in negotiating, approving or facilitating the deal.
Berko was convicted by a US federal jury on charges linked to the payment of more than US$1 million in bribes to Ghanaian officials in connection with the development and financing of a power plant in Ghana. Dr Donkor has denied receiving any money or having any dealings with Berko.
Dr Donkor Denies Any Wrongdoing, Lawyer Insists
K.T. Hammond's comments seek to provide context to one of the key processes surrounding the emergency power arrangement at the centre of the US bribery case. He explained that the inspection involved representatives from various stakeholders in Ghana's electricity sector, including the Volta River Authority (VRA).
"If anybody goes on the frolic of their own and makes some scandalous and criminal demands on his behalf, he did not provide that," Hammond said. He added that Dr Donkor should not be held responsible for any alleged misconduct by individuals who may have acted independently or invoked his name without authorisation.
Ghanaian Dimension of the Aksa Energy Deal Under Investigation
The Office of the Special Prosecutor has previously disclosed that it provided investigative assistance to US authorities in the Berko case. The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has also begun investigations into the Ghanaian dimension of the matter, including tracing potential assets or proceeds connected to suspected criminal conduct.
The Aksa Energy deal was concluded during a time of severe power crisis in Ghana, popularly known as Dumsor. Ghana was seeking to bring in about 370 megawatts of generating capacity to address the shortage.
Source: Joy Online
