The Policy Research and Advocacy Institute (PRAI) is calling for the removal of the Procurement Minister and dissolution of the Board of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA).

This follows investigation by ace investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni and subsequent report by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), which has led to the termination of appointment of Adjenim Boateng Adjei, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) by President Akufo Addo.

Head of Policy and Advocacy at PRAI, Andrews Maxford in a statement said “the termination of the appointment of the CEO of the Authority on grounds of conflict of interest reflects a failure of oversight responsibility on the part of the PPA Board and Minister responsible for Procurement”.

In spite of the above and in line with the principle of ultimate responsibility, PRAI believes the removal of the Procurement Minister and dissolution of the Board of the Authority will serve as caution to Chief Executives and Boards of various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and encourage performance of oversight responsibility.

The statement further said “the occurrence of similar conflicts of interest and procurement breaches in contractual agreements in previous years led to the appointment of a Minister of State in charge of Procurement at the Office of the Presidency, and thus, a halt in such practices should be the desired result of the creation of such Office”.   

PRAI believes the termination of the appointment of the Minister and dissolution of the Board of the Authority is necessary to guarantee value for money in future contractual negotiations in order to discourage corruption and embezzlement of public funds.