Procurement infractions, breaches, and rigging have long been identified as significant contributors to corruption within Ghana’s governance structure.
These illicit practices, often veiled under the guise of bureaucratic processes, have undermined transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility.
Franklin Cudjoe, Founding President and Chief Executive Officer of IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, in commenting on the vexed matter shed light on what he deemed as the systemic flaws plaguing the country’s procurement framework, exposing the dire consequences of unchecked malfeasance.
The renowned political communicator and good governance advocate, in a scathing critique of Ghana’s procurement arrangement bemoaned the alarming centralization of decision-making authority within the Public Procurement Board.
He pointed out that the concentration of power in the hands of political appointees fosters an environment ripe for political patronage and clientelism.
In addition, Mr Cudjoe posited the composition of tender review committees and boards, predominantly comprising political appointees or public servants, further exacerbates the susceptibility to political interference.
The lack of representation from demand-side accountability actors in the view of Mr Cudjoe underscores the prevailing low levels of accountability in the country’s public procurement processes.
The Founding President of the IMANI Centre for Policy and Education’s while expressing deep concern over the increasing nature of the phenomena cited specific instances of irregularities and improprieties within recent procurement endeavours by some public and state institutions to back his argument.
He cited the Electoral Commission’s procurement process for acquiring Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs) and Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) equipment in 2020 as a glaring example.
Mr Cudjoe noted that the arbitrary scoring methodology employed by the country’s electoral management body, coupled with questionable bidder selection criteria, exposes the inherent flaws in the procurement evaluation process.
Similarly, Mr Cudjoe strongly criticized the procurement process for the Kelni GVG contract raising serious concerns, stating that the selected bidders lacked requisite qualifications and experience.
He emphasized that the shady and opaque nature of the procurement process leading to the above-mentioned contract between the Ministry of Communications and the Kelni GVG cast doubt on the integrity and transparency of the entire process.
Shortfalls of Government’s “Procure to Pay” Initiative
Moreover, Franklin Cudjoe, the Chief Executive Officer of IMANI Centre for Policy and Education expressed deep concern over the deficiency of the government’s “Procure to Pay” policy, ostensibly aimed at streamlining procurement processes within Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
He asserted that while the initiative may appear to enhance efficiency, the absence of internal auditors in the procurement process creates fertile ground for malfeasance.
The limited oversight afforded to internal auditors, coupled with the prevalence of off-GIFMIS transactions, according to Mr Cudjoe significantly undermines accountability mechanisms and increases the likelihood of procurement infractions going undetected.
“In a recent year, 85% of all government transactions did not even go through the GIFMIS. Ask JM, Bawumia, Alan, and others how they believe they can fight corruption while this continues. Until you hear credible and practical solutions, don’t waste your time listening further”
Franklin Cudjoe, Founding President IMANI Centre for Policy and Education
The implications of these procurement irregularities in the view of Mr Cudjoe are profound, eroding public trust in government institutions and perpetuating a culture of impunity.
He emphasized that the continuation of such practices poses a direct threat to Ghana’s economic development and undermines efforts to combat corruption.
Given the above alarming revelations, it is therefore imperative for the government to take urgent measures and roll out strategic intervention to address the systemic deficiencies outlined by the Founding President of the policy think-tank to restore integrity to the procurement process.
More importantly, it is incumbent upon the government to heed Mr Cudjoe’s call for reform and implement concrete measures to enhance transparency, accountability, and oversight in public procurement.
It is without doubt that failure on the part of the government to undertake immediate reforms to address the numerous challenges grappling with the country’s procurement process, especially its political infiltration and centralization, leading to instances of grand corruption would not only perpetuate the cycle of corruption but also jeopardize Ghana’s aspirations for sustainable development and good governance.
The onus is therefore on the government to promote accountability and undertake meaningful reform in procurement practices to safeguard the interests of all Ghanaians.
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