Democracy and Development Fellow at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), John Osae-Kwapong, says Ghana must conduct its own investigations into the circumstances surrounding the AKSA Energy deal despite action already taken by authorities in the United States.

According to him, the developments surrounding the case raise serious concerns about the integrity of public office and Ghana’s public procurement processes.

Speaking on Joy FM's Top Story, Mr Osae-Kwapong acknowledged that authorities in the United States have taken action against the individual at the centre of the case, but argued that this should not end Ghana’s responsibility to examine what happened on its side of the transaction.

“Of course we would have to get to, I know on the U.S. side they have dealt with the issue and the individual involved. But I believe that it is also incumbent upon us, as part of our fight against corruption and to ensure integrity in government, that it is incumbent upon us to also further look into this matter," he said on Monday, August 10.

He noted that Ghana has, over the years, committed to strengthening integrity in public office and intensifying the fight against corruption.

“So when you read stories like this that allege that the integrity of public office or the integrity of the public procurement process was somehow compromised, then it becomes very worrying,” he explained.

Mr Osae-Kwapong said the allegations bring renewed attention to the need for stronger measures to prevent corruption within government and ensure that public procurement processes are conducted transparently.

His comments come amid growing calls from civil society organisations and anti-corruption campaigners for Ghanaian authorities to investigate possible local involvement in the alleged bribery scheme.

The renewed scrutiny follows the conviction of a former Tema Oil Refinery Managing Director in the United States over bribery-related offences connected to a power plant deal involving Ghana.

The development has also raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the renewal of the AKSA Energy agreement with the Ghanaian government in October 2022.

Mr Osae-Kwapong stressed that a domestic investigation would be important in establishing whether Ghanaian public officials or institutions breached procurement rules or compromised the integrity of the transaction.

He said such an investigation would also demonstrate Ghana’s commitment to accountability and the fight against corruption in public office.