Supply managers urged to upgrade skills

Mr. Kwadwo Baah Wiredu, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning has tasked Supply and Material Management (SMM) professionals to constantly upgrade their knowledge to meet the challenges posed by the Public Procurement Act(PPA).

"People need to understand what they are doing in order to achieve their target."

Mr. Baah-Wiredu whose speech was read by Mr. Moses Ajaab, Director of Administration, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning was speaking at a send off-party for Mr. Samuel Kwaku Ahoma, former Director of Supply, who is going on retirement after forty years of service.

Mr Ahoma joined the civil service in 1966 as a teacher with the Ghana Education Service and later joined the storekeeping class as a supply officer after undertaking a course at the University of Ghana.

Mr Ahoma was appointed Director of Supply in 1996 after he had served in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions as the Regional Inspectorate officer in the 80's.

Mr Baah-Wiredu also assured the group of government's readiness to assist them to enhance their productive capacities.

Mr Lawrence Yaw Quashigah, Chairman of Ghana Supply and Material Management Association (GHASMMA) appealed to government to assist the association establish its own training school similar to that of the Controller and Accountant General's Institute in Accountancy Training.

He announced that the association's effort to improve the educational background of its members had begun to yield fruits.

"Some of our members who attended Accra Polytechnic on part time have successfully graduated with HND certificates," he added.

Mr. Edwin Barnes, Chief Director of the Civil Service called on members of the association to be professionals on their jobs.

He reiterated the call on members to continuously improve themselves in order to ensure the existence of the right personnel at the workplace.

Mr Samuel Ahoma, the outgoing Director of Supply called for the revision of the Service and Store regulations, which he said, has become outdated and must be evaluated to suit the situation, especially with the enactment of the Public Procurement law 2003 and Financial Regulation Act.

He assured members of the association of his willingness to make available his experience and knowledge to the group.

He also suggested that the welfare contributions should be made available to members who were prepared to pursue further education.

The national executives of the association presented a new Sharp refrigerator to Mr. Ahoma, whiles the regional bodies and individuals donated various items to the outgoing Director.