Pan-African Conference Of CIPS Ends In Accra

Dr. Tett Afotey-Walters Interacting With The Press

The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Africa, (CIPS) has ended a two-day conference in Ghana's Capital, Accra, with a clarion call on CIPS member countries to strictly stick to the use of CIPS qualification frameworks as the guiding principle for employment in the civil service.

Dr. Tett Afotey-Walters, The Chief Contracts Manager At UNAMA Mission (UNITED NATIONS), made the call in his presentation on 'The Strategic Role Of Public Procurement In The Development Of Government BusinessGhana's Civil Experience' at the CIPS conference.

According to him, the Service should champion the development of a professionally qualified cadre of practitioners.

'The use of CIPS qualification framework as the guiding principle for the civil service; Development of levels CIPS 2&3 qualifications equivalent to be pursued at the Civil Service Institute; the need to advocate for CIPS qualification as essential entry qualification for all procurement vacancy announcements in the Civil Service,' he stressed.

Using Ghana as a case study, he disclosed that the procurement of Goods, Works and/or Services by the Government through the Civil Service Institutions is in compliance with the Procurement Law (Act 663), Financial Regulations and Rules (Act 654), and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Provisions (Act 798) as promulgated by the Parliament of the Republic of Ghana.

He further advocated for the Civil Service Institutions to always act as agents to use Procurement in supporting Government to meet its pledge and commitments to deliver quality living conditions for the citizenry.

The CIPS has officially embarked on an exciting journey to roll out a new dynamic plan for Africa, central to this is the objective to grow CIPS membership to 50 000 in Africa within 5 years.

The need for true procurement professionals in Africa has never been more critical to achieving prosperity and the societal development of our African communities.

It is through recruiting well trained, well qualified and well fit for the job procurement professionals that organisations will deliver the value for money and value add that will stimulate economic growth and create jobs that are genuine careers.

Whether the organisation hails from the public or private sector, manufacturing or services industries, an SME or multinational, professionals will always make the difference that is needed. Africa has an enormous amount of potential through its positive demographic of: young, well educated, ambitious and enthusiastic citizens.

Africa is seen by many investors as an investment frontier of choice, efficient and capable suppliers with a skilled work force in country, will attract the much needed foreign investment and through programmes of supplier development create sustainable businesses, secure supply and build great business success.

There was also a spectrum of selected speaker presentations, workshops and panel discussions with participants from across Africa.

International presenters gave delegates a glimpse of what is happening globally in the procurement and supply profession.

CIPS exists to promote and develop high standards of professional skill, ability and integrity among all those engaged in purchasing and supply chain management. CIPS assists individuals, organisations and the profession as a whole.

As an influential professional body, CIPS helps all kinds of organisations achieve all-round excellence in procurement and supply management. The organization do this by offering a range of products & services to equip you with the knowledge, training, and practical skills you need to derive maximum benefit from your procurement practices.

In another presentation, Dr. Tukiya Kankasa-Mabula, Deputy Governor at the Bank Of Zambia, underscored the need to eschew corruption among Purchasing And Supplier professionals in the line of their duties.

She was speaking on 'Public Procurement Reforms: Are They Addressing African Countries Economic Challenges?

Dr. Tukiya Kankasa-Mabula decried corrupt acts engaged in by Suppliers that tend to undermine development efforts.

Dr. Tett Afotey-Walters Interacting With The Press