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Asante Kwaku Berko convicted in U.S. for Ghana power plant bribery scheme
Asante Kwaku Berko, a dual U.S.-Ghanaian citizen and former Goldman Sachs executive, has been convicted by a federal jury in Brooklyn for his role in a bribery and money laundering scheme. The case involves more than $1 million in bribes allegedly paid to Ghanaian government officials to secure a power plant contract for the Turkish energy firm Aksa Enerji.
Prosecutors revealed that Berko used the coded phrase 'holy rain' to refer to bribe payments. The scheme took place between 2014 and 2015, during a period of severe national energy crisis in Ghana. Evidence presented during the trial suggested that payments were intended for high-level officials, including the then-Minister of Power, to facilitate project approvals.
Following the conviction, Berko faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for November 10, 2026. While the U.S. legal proceedings have concluded, legal experts and Ghanaian authorities are facing calls to investigate the alleged recipients of the bribes within Ghana. Former Minister of Power Dr. Kwabena Donkor has issued a formal denial, stating he had no knowledge of the allegations or any illicit payments.
Entities
Aksa Enerji · Asante Kwaku Berko · Attorney General of Ghana · Goldman Sachs · Government of Ghana · Justice Srem‑Sai · Kwabena Donkor · Tema Oil Refinery · Turkish energy company (unnamed)
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The court has scheduled Berko's sentencing for November 10, 2026. asaaseradio.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The phrase 'holy rain' was used as coded language for bribe payments during the scheme. thevoicenewsmagazine.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Asante Kwaku Berko faces a maximum potential prison sentence of 30 years. asaaseradio.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Asante Kwaku Berko was convicted in a Brooklyn federal court of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and money laundering conspiracy. blog.volkovlaw.com · thevoicenewsmagazine.com · asaaseradio.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The bribery scheme was connected to a power plant project involving the Turkish company Aksa Enerji. blog.volkovlaw.com · asaaseradio.com · thechronicle.com.gh
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Dr Kwabena Donkor, the former Minister of Power, has denied any knowledge of or involvement in the bribery allegations. thevaultznews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The power plant deal and associated bribes took place during a period of severe energy shortages in Ghana. blog.volkovlaw.com · thevaultznews.com · thechronicle.com.gh
- [● 3 SOURCES] The bribery scheme involved more than $1 million intended for Ghanaian government officials to secure a power plant deal. blog.volkovlaw.com · thevoicenewsmagazine.com · thechronicle.com.gh