THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT ACT 633 (2003) AND AMENDMENT ACT (2016) ACT 914. IT’S IMPACTS ON THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF PROCUREMENT OFFICERS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR

Abstract

This research acutely examines the procurement Act 663 and its impact on the accountability of officers in the public sector. Specific research objectives were set to determine the laid down procedures for the procurement Act, assess the competence of procurement staff in the procurement sector, and review the budgetary perspective of the procurement entity in Ghana. As a methodology, the study adopted a quantitative research approach while employing a case study approach. Overall, 16 questionnaires were administered, as well as face-to-face interviews were conducted. The study findings revealed that the staff lacked professional knowledge of procurement services as the financial budget allocated for staff training was vastly inadequate. The study also revealed a varied level of compliance among the procurement institute studied in respect of part II of the Act. It was also established that, whereas there was a high level of compliance in areas of well-established tender committees among significant others, mandatory prior days before the scheduled date for meetings and professional expertise in procurement practice showed relatively low compliance. Furthermore, although high education levels were indicated in the study, little was revealed about the acquisition of professional qualifications in procurement among staff in the entity. The study recommends, among others, that an operational manual for the procurement Act should be available to all procurement staff to guide and make them conversant with the procurement profession's procedures.