Prospects and Challenges of E-Procurement in Some Selected Public Institutions in Ghana

Abstract

This paper sought to investigate the prospects and challenges associated with the adoption of e-procurement in some selected public institutions in Ghana. Current literature on Public Procurement indicates a paradigm shift towards adoption of new technologies in Supply Chain processes that include e-procurement. The level of public sector response is influenced by various factors posing challenges to the adoption of e-procurement. The Ministry of Finance (MoF) was used as the case area; a sample size of 48 comprising of three respondents each were randomly sampled from the procurement departments of 16 Public institutions directly under the MoF. The research paper used a questionnaire as a key instrument for primary data collection. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests was conducted. From the study, it was revealed that employee competency, inadequate legal framework, inadequate technological infrastructure and security of procurement transaction data were challenges to e-Procurement adoption in the organizations under review. The paper recommends among others that due to continuous turnover of employees, continuous training for incoming staff is required on e-Procurement. In addition, formal recognition backed by legislation of the electronic procurement transactions should be encouraged. Integration of the institutions system and those of the suppliers, demonstration of the positive impact of the system, and installation of linkages between all Governments agencies should be encouraged

Keywords: e-Procurement, Public Institutions, Ghana, Ministry of Finance, Adoption