Deputy Chief of Staff urges ethical procurement to boost nation’s development
The Deputy Chief of Staff Nana Oye Bampoe Addo has called on Ghana’s procurement and supply sector to adopt ethical, professional and sustainable practices to position procurement as a strategic pillar of national development and economic resilience.
Speaking at the maiden National Procurement and Supply Conference (NPSC) in Accra, she stressed that procurement, when handled responsibly, can become a powerful lever for fiscal discipline, local industry promotion and public trust.
“Procurement is an engine of sustainable development and social impact when managed ethically and professionally; but when compromised, it drains national progress, undermines institutions and erodes public trust,” she noted.
The deputy chief of staff urged stakeholders to view procurement not merely as a transactional function but as a driver of transformation.
“Let ethics be our compass, professionalism our tool and sustainable impact our goal. Together, let us reimagine procurement and supply not only as transactions but as engines of Ghana’s transformation,” she added.
“A working procurement policy framework will improve overall supply chain resilience, which is a direct link to sustainable development,” experts stated.
Speakers also urged a shift towards targeted, localised sourcing to strengthen industrial competitiveness, create jobs and enhance national development.
Dr Simon Annan, President of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Ghana, emphasised digitising procurement systems to curb infractions and expand opportunities for local businesses.
“Procurement is not a back-office function; it is frontline nation-building. We must reimagine procurement not just as a process of buying, but as a powerful tool for delivering value, integrity and sustainability,” he said.
Highlighting global pressures such as climate change, technological disruption and shifting trade dynamics, Dr Annan called for innovative, transparent and efficient supply chains.
“We must move from cost-centric procurement to value-driven procurement; from fragmented supply chains to integrated, digital and sustainable ecosystems; from short-term transactions to long-term partnerships that drive national competitiveness,” he added.
The two-day conference, themed ‘Reimagining Procurement and Supply for Sustainable Development and Economic Resilience’, brought together policymakers, procurement professionals, supply chain experts, academics and industry players to design strategies that embed ethics and sustainability into Ghana’s procurement framework.
Panellists advocated for a national procurement policy framework to guide ethical and value-driven sourcing of goods and services, supporting government initiatives such as the 24-hour economy programme.
The conference featured detailed paper presentations and panel discussions, underscoring the need to legislate procurement practices and position the sector as a pivot of the government’s 24-hour economy agenda.
