A US court has convicted Asante Berko, a former Goldman Sachs investment banker and former Managing Director of Ghana’s TOR, on charges of foreign bribery and money laundering, according to Graphic Online.
The verdict, reported on Friday, 7 August 2026, follows a case in which prosecutors said Berko orchestrated a scheme to pay millions of dollars in bribes to Ghanaian officials to secure a power plant deal, per GhanaWeb.
Bloomberg also confirmed the guilty finding, noting that the conviction stems from Berko’s role in the corrupt arrangement. The US Department of Justice described Berko as the “linchpin” of the scheme, according to Global Investigations Review.
Berko’s career included senior roles at Goldman Sachs and leadership of TOR, Ghana’s state-owned oil refinery. The case highlights how a prominent financier with ties to both international banking and Ghanaian state enterprises became the focus of a US prosecution.
The charges relate to payments intended to influence Ghanaian officials in connection with a power project, though the specific counterparties and contract details were not disclosed in the reporting. The St Kitts Nevis Observer also carried the story, underscoring the international reach of the US enforcement action.
The conviction marks a notable outcome in a case that has drawn attention to corruption risks in energy infrastructure deals across West Africa. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled, according to the available reports, and it remains unclear whether Berko plans to appeal.
Observers will be watching for the penalty phase and for any related actions against other individuals or companies tied to the alleged bribery scheme.
