Challenges in Information System Procurement in Higher Educational Institutions in Ghana

Abstract

Information System/Information Technology (henceforth IS/IT) has become the cornerstone for the success of the modern business. The education sector continues to acquire information system/technology tools with some pecuniary interest as competition for the best students intensifies. Globalization accompanied by economic integration is also pushing competition among tertiary institutions to a new frontier driven by the deployment of ICT in both operational and management processes. The deployments have introducedadditional challenges to these institutions. The ultimate among such challenges is their procurement. In this paper we present challenges of IS/IT procurement in higher educational institutes in Ghana, using Takoradi Polytechnic (a public sector institution) as a case study. The main objective is to understand the processes in the acquisition of IS/IT products and to access the effectiveness of such processes in the procurement delivery. It employs questionnaire and interviews as its principal tool of data collection. The sources of data are both primary and secondary. A thorough analysis of our data revealed among others the following findings; software procurement does not go through the rudiments of strict procurement practices, inadequate funding, poor contractual provision for and ill-enforced service level agreement. Based on the findings we recommend close collaboration between the various stakeholders in the procurement process, technical training onIT procurement risks, contractual management capabilities and current best practices regarding the procurement of IS/IT products and services. We also suggest that Software acquisition should be formalized and given greater attention with proper financial allocation in annual infrastructure budget.

Keywords: deployment, Software procurement, Contractual provisions, IS/IT products, procurement practices.