Lawyer Benjamin Tachie Antiedu, a member of the Ghanaian Delegation, has made a significant statement on behalf of the delegation at the Implementation Review Group of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption held in Vienna, Austria. The discussion centered on preventing corruption in procurement at various government levels and leveraging information and communications technology to combat corruption.
Key Takeaways from the Discussion:
– Corruption in Public Procurement: Corruption in public procurement is a significant challenge in Ghana, with the country scoring 50/100 in reporting policies and procedures, and 0/100 in transparency, according to the Government Defence Integrity Index.
– Mechanisms for Monitoring and Enforcement: Ghana has some formal policies and procedures in place for monitoring and enforcing contractor obligations, but they are not comprehensive. The Public Procurement Authority (PPA) monitors contract execution and publishes decisions on companies expelled from public procurements.
– Role of Technology: Effective use of information and communications technology can help prevent, detect, deter, and counter corruption in procurement. Ghana can benefit from exploring these opportunities to strengthen its anti-corruption efforts.
– Challenges and Limitations: Despite efforts to combat corruption, Ghana faces challenges, including limited transparency and inadequate enforcement capacity. The country’s Public Procurement Act has been criticized for its limitations in addressing corruption .
The Ghanaian Delegation’s participation in the UN Convention meeting highlights the country’s commitment to fighting corruption and improving governance. The discussion provides an opportunity for Ghana to learn from other countries and share its own experiences in combating corruption. By working together, countries can develop effective strategies to prevent corruption and promote transparency in public procurement. Alexander Afriyie