Procurement And Supply Chain Management Engages Media

Madam Stella Addo [Middle] Delivering Her Keynotes Address

The Procurement and Supply Chain Management [P&SCM] of the office of the Head of Civil Service have held an engagement with a cross section of the media under the theme: Professionalism of Procurement and Supply Chain Management in the Civil Service.

The media encounter, the first of its kind held at the auditorium of the Accra Sports Stadium, brought together experts in the procurement and logistics industry in Ghana and the media to brainstorm on perfect ways of dealing with procurement issues in the country.

Another objective of the media engagement is to explain to Ghanaians through the media of the positive impact of the Procurement and Supply Chain Management to the growth and development of Ghana's socio-economic advancement.

In her keynote address, Madam Stella Aku Addo of the Charted Institute of Purchasing and Supply [CIPS] Ghana, commended the department for their efforts over the years and urged them not to relent on their current success but to strive harder to chalk many successes for the betterment of the Ghanaian populace.

Madam Stella Aku Addo, pointed out that procurement and supply chain is effective in the implementation of new ideas and innovation and therefore used the opportunity to charge the department to create and develop local capacity and create more employment for the people.

She encouraged professionals in the industry to apply ethics in their work which she believes would go a long way in helping not only their industry but Ghana as a whole.

She further urged them to inculcate sustainability in their activities so as to make them plan well for future and current engagements.

On his part, Director of P&SCM , Dr. Tett Affotey -Walters explained that

Professionalization results in a number of benefits, for a wide range of stakeholders including governments, citizens, donors, professional bodies and members.

Government, he said benefits from professionalization through gaining better public financial management by improved P&SCM leads to increased efficiency of resource allocation, increased economic growth and more effective public service delivery.

Dr. Affotey-Walters who doubles as the Head of Class for the Department explained that their mission as a body is to be responsive, and provide quality expert total supply chain network services and proactive business advice to the Government of Ghana, through the Ministries Departments and Agencies' [MDAs].

He added that they have an objective to ensure Competitive, Fair, Integrity and Transparent (CFIT) process in accordance with established Procurement Law (ACT 663) and other relevant statutes to achieve unequalled international standards in government contracting.

He also touched on the three strategic cardinal pillars of the procurement and supply chain which he mentioned as ensuring government business achieve total value ownership of service provision by complying with the Public Procurement Directive: Act 663.

Instigating the introduction of sustainable public procurement in government business and socio-economic interventions as well as the development of the Professionalization of Procurement & Supply Chain in the civil service.

On ensuring that government businesses comply with Act 663, Dr. Affotey-Walters indicated that they would always give due consideration when exercising the procurement agency responsibility on behalf of Government through development of corporate acquisition strategy, incorporating acquisition strategy into national budget prior to appropriations bill passage and to also implement Post Award Contract Management (PACM] amongst others.

As part of efforts to instigate sustainable public procurement, the Class according to him will lead the implementation of programs that represent a multitude of program interest associated with economic, social and environmental interventions.

''We shall also advocate for the provision of maximum possible procurement opportunities to small businesses locally and to champion the enactment of policies on “The Small Business Administration” Act'' he noted.

On the way forward for procurement professionalization in Ghana, Dr. Affotey-Walters disclosed that among other things, they have institutionalized an annual “Supply Chain Summit” in recognition of individuals and corporate public sector institutions contribution to procurement and supply chain issues.

He further disclosed that the Class will develop systems and procedures to ensure compliance with the Public Procurement Act 663 and to ensure government non-pay spend to be driven by procurement and supply chain strategies.

The maiden interaction between the department and the media was under the chairmanship of Mr. G.D. Mensah , President of the Charted Institute of Logistics and Transport [FCILT]

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