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World Bank Lauds Akufo-Addo, Hon. Adwoa Safo

By MyJoyOnline
Politics World Bank Lauds Akufo-Addo, Hon. Adwoa Safo
APR 18, 2018 LISTEN

The World Bank has commended the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for introducing a policy that aims to economically empower women, Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) and the youth through the award of government contracts.

The institution also commended the Minister of State in charge of Public Procurement, Sarah Adwoa Safo, her efforts at rolling out a major public procurement policy that seeks to award 30% out of 70% of all government contracts to marginalized groups in the society, especially, women, PWDs and the youth.

This initiative, falls in line with the vision of the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to economically resource the marginalized groups to enable them also contribute their best towards the ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ agenda he is pushing for.

A forum to that effect was held where the Ministry sought the input of civil society organizations, academia, the media and some other stakeholders in the public procurement business, into the policy document which is yet to be rolled out.

The World Bank Group Director, Solutions and Innovations in Procurement Governance Global Practice, Vinay Sharma interacting with Adwoa Safo at his offices in the United States of America, stated that the establishment of the Ministry for Public Procurement, is apt.

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Adwoa Safo and Vinay Sharma
Mr. Sharimah who was in the company of a former Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy at the Office of Management and Budget, Dr. Allan V. Burman, noted that a similar office exists in their country to streamline procurement at the federal level.

The two procurement experts then commended President Akufo-Addo and Adwoa Safo for doing their best to introduce the 30% out of 70% of all government contracts policy to the marginalized in the society.

They indicated that the United States of America has a similar policy where 23% of all government contracts are reserved for women-owned firms.

Mr. Sharma indicated that a study they did in Ghana revealed that only 1% of the total government contracts are awarded to women-owned firms, describing the situation as a disincentive to women.

He was optimistic that the 30% policy when rolled out would economically empower women and the other marginalized groups in the society to be more productive to contribute their best towards the country’s development than what currently persists.

The two leaders were also happy with the President’s commitment to fighting corruption in procurement by establishing the Office of the Special Prosecutor.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com

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