Takoradi, May 29, GNA - Mr Agyenim-Boateng Adjei, the Chief Executive Officer of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) on Thursday reiterated that the Public Procurement Act (PPA) is compulsory for all spending officers. He said each entity must follow laid down procedures in their purchases as stipulated by the Act since there is no discretion. Mr Adjei said this at a day's seminar for headmasters, headmistresses, school accountants, bursars and store keepers from all Senior High Schools (SHS) in the Western and Central regions. He said Act clearly specifies the processes of procurement and those who flouted it could be imprisoned up to five years in addition to a fine.

Mr Adjei said Act 663 makes it compulsory for all to seek their quotations from five different sources to enable them buy from the best supplier and to save them from price discrimination. He stressed that, "it is dangerous under the PPA to use quotations from only one supplier, which would not be efficient and effective." Mr Adjei said the Senior High Schools (SHS) located in an area, could form a cluster and buy similar goods together, to save cost. He said under the framework agreements, there would be no contract until a request has been made for the supply of the requisite goods. Mr Stephen Amoah, a Senior Programme Officer in charge of monitoring and Evaluation said all organisations must have plans that would make them effective, results oriented and easy to deal with. He said a Procurement Plan must therefore be prepared annually, but could be reviewed quarterly.

Mr Amoah said such plans assists schools and organisations to buy in bulk, assisted in determining the estimated amount, and determined the time for the purchase. He said all schools must be able to adapt their purchases to conform to the new Act, to avoid any infringements. 30 May 08