President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to amend the Public Procurement Act to significantly restrict the use of single-source contracting. The move is aimed at enhancing transparency and ensuring value for money in the execution of public projects.
Speaking during a dialogue with civil society organisations at the Jubilee House in Accra, the President stressed that single sourcing should be applied only in exceptional circumstances. He also indicated that consultations would be held with civil society groups as part of the process to develop the proposed legislation.
President Mahama noted that the reforms are intended to strengthen accountability in public spending and reduce the risk of financial mismanagement.
To support the proposed amendment, he has directed the Ministry of Finance to expedite the establishment of an Independent Value for Money Office. The office is expected to review all single-source procurements to ensure they meet strict cost-effectiveness standards once the legal changes are enacted.
Reaffirming his stance, the President emphasized that reliance on non-competitive procurement methods must be minimized, signalling a clear policy shift. The proposal has been welcomed by civil society organisations, which view it as a major step toward tackling corruption and improving fiscal discipline.
If approved by Parliament, the amendment is expected to represent one of the most significant procurement reforms in recent years, with far-reaching implications for how government contracts are awarded across sectors.
Source: gbcghanaonline.com
