The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has cautioned against assuming that the conviction of former Goldman Sachs investment banker and former Tema Oil Refinery Managing Director, Asante Kwaku Berko, automatically establishes criminal liability against individuals in Ghana.

EOCO said the conclusion of proceedings against Mr Berko in the United States does not, by itself, establish criminal liability against any person in Ghana.

“The conclusion of proceedings against Mr. Berko in the United States does not, by itself, establish criminal liability on the part of any person in Ghana,” the Office said in a statement issued on Monday, August 10, 2026.

It explained that any individual whose name emerges from evidence obtained through international cooperation will be assessed independently.

“Any individual whose name appears in evidence obtained through the international cooperation process will be assessed independently on the basis of the evidence relevant to that person and in accordance with Ghanaian law,” EOCO said.

The caution comes as the Office intensifies its investigation into the Ghanaian dimension of the bribery case following Mr Berko’s conviction in the US.

EOCO said it received a request last year from its US counterparts in connection with investigations into an alleged bribery scheme.

The request sought information relating to specific individuals in Ghana considered relevant to the investigation, including a former Minister of State and public servants.

“Following receipt of the request, EOCO, in collaboration with the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice, commenced preliminary work in relation to the Ghanaian aspects of the matter,” it said.

The Office also monitored the proceedings in the United States, saying evidence emerging from those proceedings could be important to determining the scope and direction of a comprehensive investigation in Ghana.

Following Mr Berko’s conviction, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice engaged the appropriate US authorities to obtain relevant evidence, records and information needed to advance the Ghanaian investigation.

The Attorney-General has subsequently directed EOCO to escalate its investigations as the relevant information and official records are obtained from the competent US authorities.

EOCO said its collaboration with US law enforcement authorities and the Attorney-General’s Office remains active.

“The process of obtaining relevant records through lawful international cooperation is critical to ensuring that any Ghanaian investigation is comprehensive, evidence-based and capable of producing a lawful outcome,” the Office said.

EOCO also said it would not disclose sensitive operational information that could compromise ongoing investigations, the integrity of evidence or any future prosecution.

It assured the public that it remains committed to “following the evidence without fear or favour” and to identifying and investigating economic and organised crime within its mandate.

The Office said further information would be provided at the appropriate time.