Regional News of Monday, 7 September 2009

Source: GNA

Expedite action on review of procurement law

Akyawkrom (Ash), Sept 7, GNA - An appeal has been made to parliament to expedite action on the review of the public procurement law that is before it to relieve institutions of the difficulties they have to go through with the current procurement law. Mr Edward Nketia-Asante, Director of Procurement at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), said the review would ease the lengthy bureaucratic processes involved in acquiring things for institutions.

Mr Nketia-Asante was responding to a question during a one-day orientation course organized by the College of Art and Social Sciences (CASS) of KNUST for about 20 new deans and Heads of Departments. He said the review would also take care of the problems institutions go through in their desire to procure large quantities of particular goods.

"It would also lead to efficiency and effectiveness in procurement since it would save a lot of time and things could be done quickly to enhance productivity", he said.

The new deans and heads of departments were taken through the best procurement practices, financial management, and auditing, effective conduct of examination among other issues.

Prof Daniel Buor, Provost of CASS, appealed to the new leaders to intensify their collaboration with industry towards the restructuring of courses and the training of graduates in their institutions. He said the college's collaboration with industry over the past four years had earned it over GH¢200,000 in the form of cash and equipment to support their operations and training of the students. Prof. Buor commended institutions that had been supporting them over the years, saying plans were far advanced to sign Memorandum of Understanding with institutions such as the Prison and Immigration services as well as CEPS on areas they could collaborate.