A tense exchange unfolded on live television between lawyer KT Hammond and journalist Keminni Amanor after the former Adansi Asokwa MP was questioned about his client, former Power Minister Dr Kwabena Donkor, in connection with the bribery case involving former investment banker Asante Kwaku Berko.
The discussion centred on questions about Dr Donkor’s alleged involvement in the case and how his trip to Turkey was funded at the time of negotiations linked to a power plant project in Ghana.
Berko, a former Goldman Sachs investment banker, was recently convicted in the United States after being accused of paying more than $1 million in bribes to high-ranking Ghanaian government officials in connection with the development and financing of a power plant.
Dr Donkor, who was Minister of Power during the period in question, has since been mentioned in discussions surrounding the case. His legal team, however, has rejected allegations linking him to any bribery demand or payment.
KT Hammond, who represents Dr Donkor, had earlier stated on August 10, 2026, denying the allegations against his client.
During an interview on TV3, Hammond was questioned by Keminni Amanor about the former minister’s alleged role in the matter and the circumstances surrounding his trip to Turkey.
The line of questioning appeared to irritate Hammond, who challenged the journalist over what he considered an overly confrontational approach.
“Behave yourself. Are you cross-examining me? I have written a statement on the instruction of my client, and you are asking me questions on it. And look at the questions you are asking me. What is your name again? I will make sure I do not pick your calls again,” he said.
Hammond questioned whether it was appropriate for the journalist to ask whether his client had taken money in connection with the allegations.
“How can you ask me that? Is it professional to ask such a question? I appreciate how journalists operate, but don’t hide behind questions that are not comfortable. That is a very unfortunate question to ask,” he added.
The exchange came against the backdrop of Berko’s conviction in the United States.
Berko, 52, was tried in late July 2026 over allegations that he and associates outside Goldman Sachs paid more than US$1 million to high-ranking Ghanaian government officials about a decade ago to secure approval for the development and financing of a multimillion-dollar power plant.
According to prosecutor Katherine Raut’s opening statement before a federal jury in Brooklyn, the alleged payments were intended to facilitate the power plant deal for a client.
Berko, a dual citizen of the United States and Ghana, was ultimately convicted on all counts contained in the indictment, including conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, violating the FCPA and conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with the alleged bribery scheme.
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