Interrogate all persons linked to former TOR MD bribery case – Mary Addah

Transparency International Ghana Executive Director Mary Addah has called for all persons linked to the case involving former Goldman Sachs banker Asante Berko to be interrogated to help uncover the full circumstances surrounding the alleged corruption.

She said a thorough examination of the roles played by everyone connected to the case was necessary if Ghana was to draw meaningful lessons from the matter and strengthen its fight against corruption.

According to Mrs Addah, authorities must go beyond the conviction secured in the United States and investigate the Ghanaian dimension of the case, including individuals who may have been involved directly or indirectly.

She said interrogating all persons involved would help investigators establish the facts, identify possible wrongdoing and determine whether any public officials breached Ghana’s laws or ethical standards.

Mrs Addah’s call comes amid renewed attention to the case following the conviction of Mr Berko in the United States over a bribery scheme involving a Ghanaian power project.

“Apart from saying we are cancelling (the) contract, we must also be interrogating all the people who were mentioned. And again, I believe that as people who are willing and ready to fight corruption, this is a good opportunity to show that what happened in the past can be brought back to day and be dealt with,” she said on JoyFM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, August 10, while discussing the case.

The development has also triggered calls for a comprehensive investigation in Ghana, with the Attorney-General indicating that Ghanaian authorities would work with their US counterparts to examine the local side of the matter.

The investigation, she said, therefore presents an opportunity for Ghana to demonstrate its commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring that public officials and private actors are held accountable.