Accra: The Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Justice Srem Sai, has revealed that the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) is currently investigating the AKSA Energy corruption scandal. This investigation involves several former government officials and Members of Parliament (MPs) who were implicated in the scandal.
According to Ghana Web, the United States Department of Justice issued a statement regarding the conviction of Asante Berko, the former Managing Director of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR). Berko was found guilty of paying bribes to officials, leading to the ratification of the AKSA Energy deal by the Ghanaian Parliament in 2015. The statement specified that initial bribes were paid in Turkey, followed by additional payments in Ghana to the implicated MPs.
The statement further detailed the bribery scheme, noting that payments were made to five Ghanaian officials during an all-expenses-paid trip to Turkey, where they viewed equipment for a power plant. Following Parliament's ratification of the deal in July 2015, Berko and his co-conspirators exchanged emails about bribe payments. In August 2015, discussions included $250,000 in bribes, with $46,000 directed to Parliament members who approved the agreement between AKSA and Ghana.
Multiple reports have identified that the implicated MPs were part of the Mines and Energy Committee during the 2015 legislative session. These MPs, some of whom are no longer serving, may face summons from EOCO as part of the ongoing investigation.
In 2015, the Mines and Energy Committee comprised 18 legislators. The committee was chaired by Alhaji Amadu Bukari Sorogo, the former MP for Abokobi-Madina. Adam Mutawakilu, former MP for Damango and current Managing Director of the Ghana Water Company Limited, served as vice chair. Kobina Tahir Hammond, former MP for Adansi-Asokwa and ex-Minister of Trade and Industry, was the Ranking Member, while Edward Michael Ennin, former MP for Obuasi East, served as Deputy Ranking Member.
The remaining 14 members of the committee included Mahama Naser Toure (Ayawaso East), Gershon KB Gbediame (Nkwanta South), Salifu Ameen (Wa East), Kwadwo Emmanuel Agyekum (Nkoranza South), Michael Coffie Boampong (Bia West), Cletus Apul Avoka (Zebilla), Alhaji Mohammed-Muntaka Mubarak (Asawase), Mathias Kwame Ntow (Aowin), Dr. Stephen Nana Ato Arthur (Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem), Isaac Kwame Asiamah (Atwima Mponua), William Owuraku Aidoo (Afigya Kwabre South), Mustapha Ussif (Yagaba-Kubori), Benjamin Kofi Ayeh (Upper Denkyira West), and Joseph Cudjoe (Effia).