The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) has applauded government for the establishment of a Professional Ethics and Standards Committee for Public Procurement Professionals.

Sam Achampong, Head of CIPS Middle East, North & West Africa said, “This is a far-reaching initiative that provides a significant platform for licensing the procurement profession in Ghana.”

Recently launched by the Public Procurement Minister, Adwoa Sarfo, the Committee amongst other tasks, is entrusted to draft a procurement code of conduct which will be designed to enforce ethical procurement practice and provide sanctions against practitioners who breach the code.

The Committee will consist of representatives from several public sector and industry bodies and will be chaired by Stella Aku Addo, Country Manager, CIPS Ghana.

In her acceptance speech, the chairperson also applauded the government for the bold initiative and pledge to do her best to leave a good legacy behind for the Procurement & Supply Chain profession.

The launch was hosted by the Dome Kwabenya MP who stated that one of the directions given to the committee will be to articulate a code which will allow for “clear sanctions against practitioners who breach procurement ethics.

“These sanctions could include demotions, dismissals and blacklisting,” she said.

The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) is the world’s largest procurement and supply professional organisation. It is the worldwide centre of excellence in procurement and supply management issues.

CIPS has a global community of over 200,000 in 180 different countries, including senior business people, high-ranking officials and leading academics.

The activities of procurement and supply chain professionals have a major impact on the profitability and efficiency of all types of organisation and CIPS offers corporate solution packages to improve business profitability.