Accra, Sept 17, GNA - The Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) is providing 2.3 million dollars to Ghana to kick-start the implementation of the Procurement Capacity Activity Programme under the 547 million Millennium Challenge Compact aimed at building capacity of procurement entities.

An agreement to this effect was on Monday signed in Accra between MiDA and the Public Procurement Authority (PPA), responsible for the project implementation.

Mr. Martin Eson-Benjamin, Chief Executive Officer, MiDA signed for MiDA whiles Mr Adjenim Boateng Adjei, Chief Executive officer, PPA, initialled for PPA.

Mr. Eson-Benjamin said the initiative would support the Procurement Authority to run programmes that would lay a foundation for sustainable development of a cadre of procurement professionals needed for efficient procurement of goods, works and services in the country.

He said the capacity building activities would include short term training for procurement managers and staff, develop internationally accepted modules for training and certification relevant to the public sector and consistent with demands of the Public Procurement Act. He said the programme would also establish an internship activity for procurement students and graduates, and assist government to attract procurement professionals by highlighting procurement management as a career in the public services.

Tertiary students, he said, would also be supported under a sponsorship scheme to undertake procurement related courses. Mr Eson-Benjamin emphasized the need for efficient and professional management of procurement processes, saying it characterized every aspect of life.

He said the initiative would also help fill the gap that existed within the procurement profession in the country. Mr Adjei said the project was consistent with the PPA's Capacity Development Paper launched in 2005 to facilitate the establishment of procurement as a career in the public service and address the capacity development needs for effective implementation of the Procurement Act. He said the success of Ghana's Public Procurement depended largely on the success of the agreement and called for strong collaboration between the two entities to produce effective human resource. Ms Pamela Bridgewater, United States Ambassador in Ghana, said the Ghana Programme of the Millennium Challenge Account envisage procurement as crucial for the success of the programme.

She said the signing of the agreement demonstrated the beginning of a journey to would help improve on procurement procedures. 17 Sept. 07