ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT IN GHANA: A CASE STUDY OF NORTHERN REGIONAL COORDINATING COUNCIL

Abstract

Even though there is no doubt that an efficient public procurement system is necessary to ensure value for money in government expenditure, the systematic level of awareness and the degree to which the procurement process ensures sustainability is much less apparent. This study examines the effectiveness of sustainable procurement in the Northern Region of Ghana. The study employed the quantitative approach and descriptive design and targeted personnel of the Entity Tender Board Committee at the Northern Regional Coordinating Council (NRCC) and contractors who had executed projects within the Region. Using census and convenience sampling techniques, a total number of 50 respondents was selected. A structured questionnaire was the primary data collection instrument. The study found that although sustainable procurement encompasses social, economic and environmental implications, sustainable procurement practices (SPP) within the NRCC did not fully embrace the three sustainability dimensions. While SPP at the NRCC fully recognized the social and economic aspects, the environmental aspects of sustainability were not duly observed. This environmental lapse was attributed to factors such as the influence on SPP by politicians, difficulty in getting the support of colleagues and other management staff, and high cost associated with sustainability in the procurement process. This was particularly an intriguing finding as the level of awareness of respondents with regard to the tri-dimensional sustainability practices (social, economic and environmental) at the NRCC was found to be high. The NRCC, therefore, must work to ensure full environmental inclusion through such interventions as formulation of related policies, implementation of such policies, and establishment of indicators for measuring SPP operations and impact. It is also recommended that members of the procurement units be further trained on how to include the social, economic, and environmental aspects of SPP in their work schedules.