Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), James Klutse-Avedzi, has raised concerns that many Public Health Institutions in Ghana have been engaging in procurement practices without adherence to the procurement laws.
He noted that these institutions often disregard Section 20 of the Public Procurement (Amendment) Act, despite recommendations from the Auditor-General in annual reports to cease such practices.
This observation was made during the second day of the PAC sitting in the Parliament House to examine the Report of the Auditor-General on the Public Accounts of Ghana – Ministries, Departments, and Other Agencies for the year ending December 31, 2022.
The Committee summoned the Ministry of Health, represented by the Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, to address various queries outlined against the agencies and hospitals under the Ministry.
Common infractions cited in the Auditor-General’s Report for 2022 include non-payment of rent, non-competitive procurement, payment of unearned salaries, hire purchase of vehicles, and unsupported payments.
Some of the clinics and institutions that were cited in the report for uncompetitive procurement includes Castle Clinic, Nurses Training College, Pantang, Princess Marie Louise Children Hospital, Accra Psychiatric Hospital, National Blood Service among others.
The Director General of the Ghana Health Service was also advised by members of the Committee to recruit more procurement officers to help in procuring items for the various agencies by complying with the laws.