Former Gomoa West MP Alexander Abban disputes KT Hammond's denials in AKSA bribery allegations
Alexander Abban, former New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for Gomoa West, has expressed skepticism regarding the government's defense presented by lawyer Kobina Tahir Hammond concerning the AKSA power deal bribery allegations. Hammond is implicated alongside his client, former Power Minister Kwabena Donkor. Abban made these comments during a Channel One TV panel discussion, where he criticized corruption and inflated project costs within the government. He questioned the economic logic of government projects costing significantly more than market rates, suggesting that larger scale operations should lead to lower unit prices. Abban stated that he does not accept Hammond's denial that some MPs and top government officials received over $1 million in bribes from Asante Berko, former Managing Director of Tema Oil Refinery, to facilitate the deal. Berko has since been convicted in the United States. Drawing on his parliamentary experience, Abban believes the alleged bribes were taken. He also suggested that many politicians enter politics for financial gain rather than public service, citing the high cost of campaigning for Parliament compared to legitimate expected income as evidence of other financial incentives.
