“Government Agencies Warned to Adhere to Public Procurement Act”

The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), James Klutse-Avedzi, has issued a stern warning to schools and Assemblies to comply with the Public Procurement Act 2003, Act 663 as amended, when disposing of obsolete equipment and vehicles.

This caution was made during the Committee’s public hearing in Ho, Volta Region, where it was revealed that Assemblies and schools have been flouting the law in their disposal processes.

Currently, Assemblies write letters to seek approval from the Office of the Chief of Staff, while schools have to make requests through the Ghana Education Service (GES) to the Office of the Chief of Staff before auctions can take place.

However, most Schools, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) have resulted in disposing of obsolete equipment and vehicles without following due process, which amounts to non-compliance with the law.

The Committee noted that this practice is unacceptable and cautioned them to desist from such future practices, emphasizing the need for compliance with the Public Procurement Act.

The Act provides guidelines for the disposal of public assets, including obsolete equipment and vehicles, and it is mandatory for all public institutions to follow these guidelines.

The Committee’s warning is a reminder to schools and Assemblies that they must adhere to the law and ensure transparency and accountability in their disposal processes.

Failure to comply with the Act can result in serious consequences, including financial losses and reputational damage to the institutions involved.

The Public Accounts Committee is mandated to ensure that public institutions manage public resources effectively and efficiently, and it will continue to monitor compliance with the Public Procurement Act.

By complying with the Act, schools and Assemblies can ensure that they are using public resources prudently and contributing to the overall development of the country.