Examining the Challenges of Procurement Professionals in a Public Institution: The Case of WA Polytechnic, in the Upper West Region of Ghana

Abstract

The research work was titled “Examining the Challenges of Procurement Professionals in a Public institution, “WA Polytechnic, in the Upper West Region of Ghana was chosen as a case of study.The research work was organized into five coherent chapters. Chapter one was basically the introductory part of the research work. An extensive literature on the research work was piled up at chapter two.Methodology such as the use of questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data for the research.Interesting findings such as problems faced by procurement professionals in public institutions were discovered from the research. Some of these problems included long and cumbersome procurement procedure, low threshold, inadequate funds from Ghana.Education Trust Fund(GetFund)  to complete Getfund projects, no representation of procurement managers to serve on entity tender committees in public institutions, Inadequate funds to support projects, Political interference from government and many others.Benefits that accrued from procuring of goods, works and services at WA polytechnic were also revealed from the research.The research was concluded with the statement that even though the work of procurement professionals come with a lot of challenges, their presence is necessary in every business entity since they help in ensuring better utilization of funds and many others.The research finally ended with recommendations that, The Government of Ghana should endeavor to review the Public procurement Act, 2003(Act 663) to limit the number of steps in the procurement process so as to reduce the level of bureaucracy in the system.Moreover, government subventions allocated to WA polytechnic should be paid on time and the actual budget amount or funds needed to support projects should be given much consideration by government in order to undertake and support projects successfully.

Keywords: Procurement Professionals, Challenges, Public Institution, Ghana Education Fund (GETFUND)