Renowned procurement expert and a fellow of the Ghana Institution of Engineering, Ing. Prof. Douglas Boateng, has commended government for its intensified commitment to strengthening value for money principles in public expenditure and infrastructure development.

Speaking on the sidelines of the recent induction ceremony of the Ghana Institute of Procurement and Supply (GIPS), Prof. Boateng—a chartered engineer and director of IoD in the United Kingdom—described the government’s renewed fiscal direction as reinforcement of accountability, discipline, and long term national planning.

He noted that in developing economies, disciplined public spending is not merely a financial objective but a strategic necessity.

“Value for money is ultimately about protecting national resources while enabling sustainable development,” he stated.

While applauding the policy direction, Prof. Boateng emphasised that implementation must be inclusive and institutionally structured, particularly in relation to major infrastructure and capital investment decisions.

He underscored the critical role of procurement professionals in shaping contract architecture, managing risk allocation, ensuring competitive sourcing, and strengthening lifecycle cost discipline.

“Procurement is not simply a compliance checkpoint. It is a strategic function that determines how public value is created and protected,” he observed.

According to Prof. Boateng, when procurement expertise is embedded early in project conceptualisation alongside engineers, surveyors, finance professionals, and legal advisors, governments are better positioned to reduce cost overruns, prevent contractual disputes, and optimise long term national returns.

He further stated that Ghana’s aspiration to industrialise under AfCFTA and align with Agenda 2063 requires strong institutional frameworks and modern procurement governance structures.

“Infrastructure decisions must be multidisciplinary. Surveyors ensure land integrity. Engineers safeguard technical durability. Procurement professionals structure competitive and resilient contracts. Finance ensures fiscal prudence. Legal frameworks protect institutional continuity. Together, they reinforce value for money.”

Prof. Boateng also called for the urgent passage of the Procurement Bill currently under consideration, noting that legislative clarity would strengthen professional accountability and enhance public sector confidence.

“A modern procurement law is not merely administrative reform. It is an economic stabiliser. It reinforces transparency, builds investor confidence, and protects the public purse,” he stated.

He concluded by congratulating the newly inducted members of GIPS and encouraging the profession to assert its strategic role in shaping Ghana’s development architecture.

“Strong procurement governance strengthens national competitiveness. Passing the Procurement Bill will send a clear signal that Ghana is serious about institutional discipline, investor certainty, and long term economic transformation.”