Details Emerge on Bribes Paid by Asante Kwaku Berko to Ghanaian Officials

Asante Kwaku Berko, a dual citizen of the United States and Ghana, is set to be arraigned today in Brooklyn on charges of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and money laundering. Berko’s indictment reveals a complex scheme involving multiple bribe payments to Ghanaian government officials to secure a power plant deal for a Turkish energy company.

According to court documents, Berko’s illicit activities took place between December 2014 and March 2017. During this period, he allegedly conspired with others to pay substantial bribes to ensure the Turkish company would win the contract to build and operate a power plant in Ghana. As an Executive Director in the Investment Banking Division of a U.S. bank subsidiary, Berko played a crucial role in managing the deal.

Details of Bribe Payments:

April 2015: All-Expenses-Paid Trip to Turkey

Five Ghanaian officials were taken on an all-expenses-paid trip to Turkey.
During the trip, each official received a $5,000 bribe.
July 2015: Post-Deal Ratification Payments

After the Ghanaian parliament ratified the power plant deal, Berko and his co-conspirators exchanged emails discussing further bribe payments.
The emails detailed $250,000 in bribes paid to various individuals, including $20,000 to the “MoP Girls” (officials from the Ghanaian Ministry of Power) who were described as “vital to our communication and information acquisition.”
August 2015: Detailed Bribe Payments

Additional bribes amounting to tens of thousands of dollars were discussed in email exchanges.
Berko personally paid several bribes and was still owed for some of these payments.
The indictment highlights how these bribes were strategically distributed to ensure the successful execution of the power plant deal. Payments were laundered through U.S. and foreign bank accounts, including several in Berko’s name, to conceal the illegal activities.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, stated, “As alleged, the defendant bribed Ghanaian government officials to secure a lucrative development contract, relying on the U.S. banking system to execute his scheme. My Office is committed to rooting out bribery and other criminal practices that create inequities in the playing field for business both here and abroad and exploit the U.S. banking system.”

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Curtis emphasized the gravity of the situation: “For over two years, Asante Berko, a dual citizen of the U.S. and Ghana, allegedly bribed Ghanaian government officials to monopolize a promising business deal and used United States bank accounts to transfer such kickbacks. Financially influencing decision-makers, including those overseas, jeopardizes the integrity of affected countries while creating an unfair advantage to those promoting the bribery scheme.”

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