The World Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ghana’s public procurement reforms, citing the significant role that an efficient procurement system plays in the country’s economy.
Speaking at a recent event on Assessing Procurement Systems (MAPS), a World Bank representative public procurement authority launched the Ghana Maps assessment exercise.
Lina Tutuanji, Senior Hub, procurement specialist (World Bank), Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, emphasised the importance of a transparent and accountable public procurement system in providing opportunities for private sector companies to do business and create jobs.
The World Bank is supporting the Ghanaian government in assessing its public procurement system using the MAPS (Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems) methodology. This assessment will help identify areas of improvement and provide a roadmap for reforms.
The outcome of the assessment will be an action plan that outlines specific areas requiring further enhancements. The World Bank will use this action plan to identify priorities for future support and financing.
This initiative is part of the World Bank’s ongoing partnership with the Ghanaian government to promote economic growth and development. By supporting public procurement reforms, the World Bank aims to contribute to the efficient use of public resources and promote private sector development.
According to Frank Mante, Chief executive officer, Public Procurement Authority, the assessment will cover various aspects of the procurement system, including the legal framework, institutional structures, market readiness, and procurement processes.
Mante emphasised that the MAPS assessment is not focused on checking corruption but rather on conducting a holistic evaluation of the procurement system. However, he noted that if any procurement breaches are identified during the assessment, they will be addressed accordingly.
The assessment is expected to be completed within six months, and the findings will be used to inform policy decisions and improve the procurement system.
Mante urged all public institutions to cooperate with the assessors and provide the necessary information to ensure a successful assessment.
The MAPS assessment is part of Ghana’s efforts to strengthen its public procurement system and ensure that it is transparent, efficient, and effective. The assessment is also expected to help Ghana improve its ranking in the World Bank’s Procurement Performance Index.
