Browsing by Author "Doh, Zebaot Kwadzo"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Sustainable Procurement Practice in Ghana Health Service
    (2015-02-13) Doh, Zebaot Kwadzo
    The introduction of sustainable public procurement practice in Ghana is beginning to receive much more attention. This has even necessitated the amendment of the country’s Procurement Act; Act 663 of 2003 to include sustainable requirements such as environmental, social and economic issues of sustainability in public procurement. Public procurement accounts for 50-70% of the national budget (after personal emoluments), 14% of GDP and 24% of total imports. (World Bank CPAR 2003). Public procurement is increasingly seen as a powerful policy tool to bring about major environmental and social benefits. The research sought to assess the practice of sustainable procurement in Ghana Health Service (Headquarters). The study was a survey. The researcher sample size was made up of thirteen procurement officers, stores and administrative staff at Ghana Health Service, Headquarters, and Accra, through the means of questionnaires and interviews that was carried out. The study found out that sustainable procurement practices were not being practiced at Ghana Health Service Headquarters, Accra. Purchase orders, evaluation of tenders and award of contracts were based on the lowest bid and the considerations such as the social and environmental issues were not included in their purchasing decisions. The study found that lack of legislative instrument and policy document was a limiting factor in the adoption of sustainable procurement. The study recommends that employees should be trained and educated on sustainability practices. Emphasis should be made on the benefits of sustainability procurement practice and the risks of non-sustainability. Furthermore, incentives should be given to suppliers to encourage them to develop sustainable products. A sustainable procurement policy document should be made available at Ghana Health Service Headquarters. This would ensure enforceability of sustainable procurement practices. The government should fast track the amendment of the country’s Procurement Act; Act 663 of 2003 to include sustainable requirements such as environmental, social and economic issues of sustainability in public procurement.