We will 'sparingly' sole-source - Adwoa Safo

The government of Nana Addo Dakwa Akufo-Addo will engage in sole-sourcing in the award of contracts but will only do so under strict conditions if the conditions spelt out under the Act are strictly met, Adwoa Safo, Minister-Designate of Public Procurement, has said.

According to her, this government will ensure absolute transparency, fairness and value for money in the award of contracts especially in cases that sole-sourcing is used.

Speaking during her vetting by the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Monday, 27 March, Ms Safo said: “I will want to reiterate what has already been stated by His Excellency the President on our government’s position on procurement: in ensuring that there is transparency, fairness, non-discrimination, value for money and to a very large extent, integrity in the procurement processes and the only way that we can best champion this course is through open competitive tender.”

“So we believe that open competitive tendering is the way to go: open up the tendering process for as many that qualify or meet the specifications for the contract for which they want to bid for.”

However, she added, “sole-sourcing is permitted under the Act, ACT 663 as amended by ACT 914. It is a method that is acceptable under the Act and it is lawful but it is an exception to the rule rather than the general rule if the condition precedent set out in the Act and the guidelines for sole-sourcing as developed by the PPA are met. And so we will only advice that those conditions are satisfied.”

“Sole-sourcing is a method that is justified under the law provided the conditions precedent exist,” the Deputy Majority Leader said, adding: “We are able to satisfy (them). We would (engage in sole-sourcing) where necessary if the conditions are met.”