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Deputy Minister-designate for Gender calls for the elimination of human interface to prevent procurement breaches

Deputy Gender Minister-designate, Dr Benjamin Sekyere Yeboah, has suggested that the government digitalises all government procurement processes.

He emphasized that transitioning these processes online would minimize the occurrence of bribery and other procurement breaches. Dr. Yeboah, during his vetting before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Friday, March 8, highlighted that the automation of these procedures ensures the selection of the best tenders in a smooth and transparent manner.

The Member of Parliament for Tano South underscored that adhering to this approach reduces costs by fostering a highly competitive system.

“In terms of procurement, we should do well to eliminate human interface. Sometimes if somebody is going to procure something and because most people don’t understand the system, they try to influence the system. They try to influence the system whereby instead of them going for the three quotations, sometimes they end up taking one, the supplier adding other quotations…”

“I believe that when we reduce the human interface where most of the times, we advertise it in papers, you apply online, the team will not ask you to come and meet them until you are selected. In those circumstances, there won’t be that favouritism and the rest,” he said.

He continued, “For that matter the system itself will run and I think… if we decide to go on that line than somebody holding the file going to buy the tender document, going for someone to open the bid and everything human interaction, in that way, there would be favouritism and the rest, and it is not going to help the procurement systems.”

Dr. Yeboah addressed concerns about addressing procurement lapses in Ghana, highlighting the competitive tendering method currently in use. He pointed out recent instances, such as the Education Ministry spending over GHȼ68.5 million on WASSCE past questions, emphasizing the need for effective solutions.

The Minister of Education defended the expenditure in 2020 and 2021, stating that it was part of the government’s initiative to adequately prepare students for exams. However, the Minority in Parliament criticized the use of sole sourcing for procurement and questioned the amount involved.

Although, Ghana’s Public Procurement Act, 2003, (Act 663 as amended) regulates single-source procurement of goods, works and services in Ghana, this must be only after the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) has approved it.

The ministry, however, failed to follow the process, hence the accusations of procurement breaches.

 

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