Elimina – Tuesday, May 11, 2021: The series of trainings by the Office of the Head of Local Government Service (OHLGS) for Heads of Procurement Units in the Service was brought to an end with the completion of training for participants from the Central Region, Western Region and Greater Accra Region at Elmina, Central Region.
In opening the last in the series of trainings, the Head of Service, Ing. Dr. Nana Ato Arthur said, the professional advise provided by procurement officers coupled with the professional discharge of their duties are key to curtail procurement related infractions. He indicated that a number of the infractions by MMDAs in the 2019 Auditor General’s report were procurement related hence the need to sharpen the skills and improve the knowledge of procurement unit heads. He implored participants to accept the challenge towards the elimination of such infractions to protect the public purse by ensuring value for money and use of e-Government Procurement arrangements as provided for by Act 663 as amended.
In a statement delivered on behalf of the Central Regional Minister, Hon. Mrs. Justin Marigold Assan, the Regional Coordinating Director for the Central Region, Mr. Kingsley Boahene acknowledged the importance of capacity building in developing the skills and competences of staff. He said competent officers will engender public confidence and believe in the procurement system. He urged participants to take keen interest in the training and the workshop as a platform to learn from each other.
The training sessions were facilitated by staff of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA). Topics treated included but not limited to Procurement Rules & Methods; Procurement Planning, Supplier Validation Check on PPA Database, Introduction to Standard Tender Documents and Introduction to Evaluation of Tender. Participants also had hands on practical sessions accompanied with presentations and plenary.
In closing the training session, Dr Arthur reiterated the technical nature of procurement and the need for procurement officers to develop keen interest in the task they perform and also to learn on the job. He commended participants for taking the training seriously and encouraged them to put into practice the knowledge acquired and improve upon their service delivery.
The training at Elmina took place concurrently with another one at Ejisu with participants from the Western North, Bono, Ahafo, Bono East and Ashanti Regions.
