The Ghana Institute of Procurement and Supply (GIPS) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with leading multinational audit firm KPMG to build the right synergies and capacities that will promote the practise of sound and value-based procurement in the country.
Areas of engagement will include KPMG’s assessment, recommendation, and support for the passage of the proposed Procurement Practising Bill, which is tipped to be the game-changer for procurement practise, and the offering of its sophisticated digital learning platforms to help build the right skills and capabilities of local procurement professionals.
According to the president of GIPS, Mr. Simon Annan, the strategic partnership aligns with the institute’s vision of building the right alliances and support systems that will help to tackle procurement-related infractions and wastages in both the public and private spaces.
“As procurement professionals, our service is critical in the management of public finances, and we need the right support systems and collaborations. KPMG is a good match, and through this partnership we will be able to build the right capacities that will help to sanitise the procurement landscape,” he said at a meeting between the leadership of the two institutions.
Mr. Annan added: “As critical stakeholders, the two institutions could collaborate in several areas, including reviewing and making significant inputs into the draft Procurement Practising Bill, which will be a game-changer for the practise of procurement in the country.”
In his remarks, KPMG’s Head of Advisory and Markets, Andy Akoto, assured that his outfit was ready to work with GIPS and also highlighted the need for private sector and civil society organisations to step up their efforts in helping to reduce procurement-related wastages, especially in the public sector.
“KPMG is at the forefront when it comes to helping to strengthen the ethical and other control systems of organisations, and we have the expertise to push the procurement agenda,” he assured.
According to Mr. Akoto, the partnership will greatly improve public finance management practises because fallout from organisational weaknesses such as fraud and other financial malfeasances more often than not starts with procurement.
“For us, there are definitely some synergies and areas to collaborate and cooperate to help bring the procurement conversation to the fore and help address the wastage in public finances,” he further noted.
Source: Ghana News Agency (GNA)
GIPS is an established professional body in Ghana that aims to pursue the objectives of the ‘Institute’ by promoting for the public benefit: high levels of skill, knowledge, and professional development.
