“Corruption Must Never Pay” – Dr Kofi Amoah Challenges Mahama to Act on TOR Bribery Scandal

Businessman and economist Dr Kofi Amoah has called on President John Mahama to seize what he describes as a rare “perfect storm” created by the recent U.S. conviction of former Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) Managing Director Asante Kwaku Berko, urging the government to demonstrate unequivocally its zero tolerance for corruption.

In a strongly worded commentary on his verified X account (@amoah_citizen), Dr Amoah argued that the U.S. judicial process—conducted with cooperation from the United Kingdom—has already done the heavy lifting by securing a conviction and providing critical evidence that could help Ghana identify and prosecute local officials implicated in the scandal.

The U.S. Conviction

A U.S. federal jury convicted Asante Kwaku Berko, a former Goldman Sachs executive, on charges including conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, violating the Act, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The charges stemmed from a power plant transaction involving the Government of Ghana and Turkish energy company Aksa Energy.

Prosecutors alleged that Berko and his co-conspirators paid more than $1 million in bribes to Ghanaian government officials to secure approvals for the project. Payments were reportedly discussed in connection with Ghana’s Minister of Power, a senior adviser, and members of Parliament who had ratified the agreement. However, U.S. authorities have not publicly named the Ghanaian officials involved.

A Test of Anti-Corruption Commitment

Dr Amoah noted that Ghana has established anti-corruption institutions such as the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the Office of the Special Prosecutor, alongside numerous anti-corruption laws. Yet, he argued, corruption continues to deprive ordinary citizens of resources needed for development.

“Our country has become a looting ground for the powerful whilst the ordinary people suffer and retrogress regardless of how hard they work,” he said.

He emphasised that President Mahama returned to office on a strong anti-corruption platform, including the ORAL initiative (Operation Recover All Loot). However, Dr Amoah observed that while ORAL has largely targeted individuals associated with the previous administration, the officials implicated in the “dumsor” corruption case appear—from available information—to be largely associated with the current ruling party.

“The people who seem culpable in the ‘dumsor’ corruption judgement by a U.S. court seem to be largely, not exclusively, from the ruling political party,” he wrote.

A Defining Moment for President Mahama

Dr Amoah described the situation as a potentially once-in-a-generation opportunity for President Mahama to prove that his anti-corruption stance is principled, not politically selective.

“Our dearest President Mahama, only God knows the real reason why you’re the head of state at this particular juncture in Ghana’s history. Please don’t fail us, don’t fail Ghana because this opportunity of a perfect storm to nip corruption at its most fertile center, ministries and parliament, may never come in another hundred years,” he said.

He urged the President to direct the Attorney-General to pursue the case and ensure that all those responsible—regardless of political affiliation—are held accountable.

Corruption and Ghana’s Development

Dr Amoah linked the fight against corruption to Ghana’s broader development aspirations, arguing that the country cannot fulfil the promise of independence while corruption undermines public institutions.

“Cleanse Ghana of corruption so that Nkrumah’s independence for Ghana can meet Mahama’s freedom from corruption and our dear country can really start her journey for progress on a sound and hopeful footing,” he declared.

He concluded with a call to action: “Corruption must never pay, Ghana must act.”

What Happens Next?

The U.S. conviction has shifted attention to whether Ghana will investigate and prosecute those allegedly involved on the local side. While U.S. authorities have not named Ghanaian officials, the case has already established that bribes were paid in connection with securing government approvals for the power project.

For Dr Amoah, the next move belongs to Ghana. He believes President Mahama now has the chance to make a defining statement—not through declarations, but through decisive action.

“Luck = Preparation + Opportunity,” he wrote. “When you’re prepared and the opportunity knocks, it is your luck to pounce and redeem what you have been searching for.”