2nd Annual Procurement Summit Underway

The 2nd Annual Procurement and Supply Chain Management Summit have opened in Accra with a call for procurement professionals to demonstrate their competence within the sector.

The two day gathering that brought together experts in the procurement and supply chain management from both the public and private sectors respectively is being held under the theme: Procurement and Supply Chain Management as a ''Game Changer'' in Expenditure Reduction and Resource Mobilization .

In his remarks, Dr. Afottey- Walters, Director for Procurement and Supply Chain Management of the Office of Head of Civil Service, admitted some challenges bedeviling the supply chain and procurement sector.

He mentioned challenges of projects completion and disputes which sometimes ends in the courts of law as some challenges confronting them as a department.

He called for an efficient supply chain management to be put in place in the public sector to ensure that the challenges facing the sector is zeroed. This he said will reduce excessive expenditure by government, improve public sector workers living conditions as well as save enough funds for other public sector projects to be carried out.

On his part, President of the Ghana Chapter for the Charted Institute of Purchasing Supply, Mr. Ebenezer Essilfie Baiden was of the view that if Ghana as a nation is able to manage procurement in a more secure and effective manner, things will improve better in the public sector.

To ensure sustainability in both the public and private sectors respectively, Mr. Esilfie averred that procurement should be given the necessary attention it deserves if it is to be the game changer to Ghana's economy.

Dr. Addai, Director of Procurement at the Ministry of Health [MOH] on his part pointed out that, for procurement and supply chain to be a game changer for Ghana, there should be certain conditions put in place.

Dr. Addai stated that there should be a clear distinction between procurement and supply chain professionals and practitioners and that procurement must further be seen as an important and strategic value added process.

He tasked procurement professionals to be bold enough to question the credibility of any procurement agreement that has been entered into by their superiors which they think it has been conducted against the ethics of the procurement and supply chain system.

Mr. Collins Agyemang, indicated that for the right things to be done, we as a people need to put in place right persons with the requisite skills and attitudes so as to able to challenge the status quo. He suggested for the adoption of the framework initiative agreement for public sector employees which in his view is another game changer process.

He further challenged procurement and supply chain management professionals to take advantage of the advent of modern day technologies and apply it in their respective fields of work to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.

According to Mr. Frank Mantey, an expert in procurement systems, most public sector institutions in Ghana lacks proper record keeping which is not auguring well for the sector. Public Sector workers need to assume full responsibility and ownership in their working places.

He bemoaned lack of well planning before contracts are awarded. He cautioned against the awarding of contracts without first making sure that there is enough funding for such contracts or projects.

Mr. Mantey therefore urged Directors of the various government institutions to match their plans for contracts awarding with the availability of funds for such projects.'' Why must you sign a contract or go in for procurement without first making enquiries to know if there is funding for the project you are embarking upon? He questioned.

Different speakers who took turns to address the gathering added their respective voices on the need for procurement to be accorded the needed attention and for professionals within the sector to go the extra miles to demonstrate their worth.

The 2nd annual Procurement and Supply Chain Management Summit's opening day was chaired by Madam Adelaide Anorkumi, Chief Director for the Ministry for the Interior.