“We Are Naturally Dishonest People”, Says Procurement Expert on Procurement-related Corruption in Ghana
Procurement Expert, Kobina Ata-Bedu, has assigned reasons for Ghana’s long-standing challenge with corruption particularly through procurement-related issues.
Ghana is estimated to lose close to $3 billion annually through corruption most of which are procurement related.
The annual Auditors-General report further highlights the billions of cedis lost through procurement irregularities and infractions in public institutions.
Speaking on the NorvanReports, Economic Governance Platform, and BudgIT Ghana X Space Discussion on the topic, “Cutting Through The Red Tape: Ghana’s Procurement Makeover”, Mr Ata-Bedu averred the most significant reason for which corruption persists in the country is that, most Ghanaians are dishonest in nature.
“As a nation, we are naturally dishonest, our values system is weak. We are all looking out for ourselves, we are corrupt because everyone in the procurement process has to make sure that at any point in time, they benefit from the process (sic),” he quipped.
Mr Ata-Bedu speaking further during the X Space Discussion noted that while the Procurement Act has made provisions for the judicious use of the nation’s resources, individuals particularly unethical procurement professionals along with politicians fail to rightfully apply the law.
“Our Procurement Act is not too bad, it has a lot of provisions to make sure our resources are used judiciously, but the problem is the people that interpret the law and use it, they are the ones that fail us,” he averred.
According to Mr Ata-Bedu, politicians are currently abusing the procurement law, particularly provisions that have to do with single or sole sourcing as it is one of the means through which they get kickbacks from contracts and also loot the country.
Further doubting the willingness of politicians to ensure strict compliance with the procurement laws particularly in public institutions, through legislative reforms to help rid the country of corruption.
