Former President of the Ghana Institute of Procurement and Supply (Ghana Institute of Procurement and Supply), Collins Agyemang Sarpong, is calling for the Public Procurement Authority to be restructured into a fully independent institution to strengthen oversight and improve accountability in Ghana’s procurement system.
Speaking on Monday, April 20, he argued that the current setup—where procurement oversight is influenced by political and administrative control—weakens enforcement and limits the regulator’s effectiveness.
He believes an independent structure would ensure that procurement decisions are guided strictly by law and professional standards, rather than external pressure.
Mr. Agyemang Sarpong also emphasised the need for stronger legal backing for procurement practitioners, including the long-awaited Practitioners’ Bill, which would allow the profession to self-regulate and sanction members who violate ethical standards.
He noted that without such reforms, practitioners lack the authority to enforce discipline within the sector, including the ability to revoke licences of members found guilty of misconduct.
“We need a system where procurement is truly professionalised, and practitioners can be held accountable through a recognised regulatory framework,” he said.
He added that improving institutional independence and strengthening professional regulation would enhance transparency, reduce abuse, and build greater public confidence in Ghana’s procurement processes.