Increase your efforts in investigating and prosecuting procurement violations, according to Kissi Agyebeng

Mr Kissi Agyebeng, the Special Prosecutor, has been directed to increase investigations and prosecutions for various offenses, particularly procurement violations, in the country.

Dr Eric Oduro Osae, a Local Governance Expert, stated that procurement violations cost the country millions of cedis and must be addressed immediately.

Dr. Oduro Osae stated this in an interview with journalists on the sidelines of a forum held on Wednesday April 21 in Accra by Imani Africa and the African Centrer for Energy Policy (ACEP) on the topic “Is the public procurement system hurting or saving the public purse?”

He also mentioned that public-sector procurements are more expensive than private-sector procurements.

“The period it takes to procure is too long, so even when you finish everything, it will take about three to six months before you are paid,” he said.

“They factor this one in, and as a result, public procurement is more expensive than private-sector procurement.”

“We should review the Public Procurement Act to ensure that it reduces unnecessary ancillary costs and increases value for money.” Public procurement is currently prohibitively expensive.”

“Let us separate the position of Attorney General from the Minister of Justice,” he added. Let us create the position of Attorney General, a non-cabinet minister who is an independent lawyer. In that case, he will have the authority to prosecute fellow ministers.

“I challenge the new Special Prosecutor to step up his game in terms of investigating and prosecuting procurement-related offenses in accordance with its establishment,” he said.