Accra: Former Ranking Member of Parliament's Mines and Energy Committee, KT Hammond, has publicly refuted reports implicating him in a delegation that travelled to Turkey as part of the controversial AKSA Energy transaction. This issue has rekindled public discourse following recent developments in the United States involving alleged bribery linked to the transaction.
According to Ghana Web, KT Hammond, who also served as the Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, clarified that he was not part of any delegation that went to Turkey concerning the AKSA Energy deal. He insisted that his sole visit to Turkey occurred in May 2024, in his capacity as Ghana's Minister of Trade and Industry.
In a statement released on August 17, 2026, Hammond demanded an apology from media outlets that published reports suggesting his involvement in the alleged delegation. He highlighted a publication by The Herald newspaper, echoed by GhanaWeb, which wrongly associated him with the Turkey trip in connection with the AKSA Energy transaction.
Hammond reiterated that, despite being the Ranking Member of the Mines and Energy Committee at the time, he was not included among the technical or other officials who allegedly visited Turkey. He called on The Herald and GhanaWeb to retract their publications and issue an apology within 24 hours.
The controversy surrounding the AKSA Energy transaction has resurfaced following the conviction of former Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) Managing Director Asante Kwaku Berko in the United States. Berko was found guilty of his involvement in a bribery scheme involving over US$1 million, allegedly paid to Ghanaian officials.
The Herald has reported that during the parliamentary consideration of the AKSA agreement, a technical inspection trip to Turkey was arranged, allegedly involving Hammond and other officials. However, Hammond has maintained his stance of non-involvement in the trip or any related financial dealings.
As the AKSA transaction remains under scrutiny, calls for a comprehensive investigation have grown. Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah has supported demands for an inquiry, aiming to establish accountability and implement reforms to prevent similar issues in future public contracts.
The AKSA project, initially intended to address Ghana's power crisis, has expanded significantly, raising questions about the parliamentary process and the roles of officials involved. The renewed focus on the transaction aims to uncover the full extent of alleged payments and the identities of those implicated in the bribery scandal.