Ghana to host 1st Pan African procurement and supply conference

The Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS), the world’s largest independent professional body representing the procurement and supply profession is organizing its annual Pan African Conference and Exhibition in Accra-Ghana from 21st - 22nd May 2013. This landmark gathering is expected to bring together corporate executives, financial controllers and directors, public sector decision makers as well as supply chain, logistics and procurement practitioners from all sectors of African economies The Conference theme is: “The strategic role of professional procurement in the development of Africa”.

An array of high-profile and widely sought-after African and international speakers and business leaders are expected to grace the occasion. They include amongst others Paula Gildert, Vice President, Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply and Head of Development Strategic Sourcing, Novartis Pharma, Engr. EmekaEzeh, Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement (Nigeria), Engr. Chris Oanda, Chairman of Kenya Institute of Supplies Management, Head of Supplies Management at Kenya Airways.

Others are Prof. Benon Basheka, MCIPS Professor of Public Procurement & Head of Higher Degrees Uganda Management Institute (Uganda), Mr. Silas Mensah, CEO of the Public Procurement Authority, Ghana, Dr Douglas Boateng, CEO of the PanAvest Partnership and Chairman of CIPS Advisory Board, Dr. TukiyaKankasa-Mabula, Deputy Governor (Administration) Bank of Zambia, and many renowned professionals.

Commenting on the conference, Mr. Andre Coetzee the Managing Director of CIPS Africa said; “The call for value adding professionalism from the procurement fraternity has never been greater. It is a fact that through well trained, qualified and fit for the job procurement professionals; organizations and society as a whole can sustainably achieve significant economic growth and development.

The cost of the two-day conference is $250 for Members and $350 for non-members. Each delegate shall receive a CPD certificate of attendance, refreshment and lunch, delegates pack and entrance to networking session as well as an opportunity for non-members to win a one year free CIPS membership.

Also there would be an exhibition which would run concurrently with the conference and companies or individuals wishing to exhibit to the Pan African audience would pay between $500 or $750 per exhibition stand to showcase their array of products and services to a continental wide audience.

‘Socio-economically moving the continent forward to sustainably create a better Africa is inextricably linked to procurement. Without doubt carefully crafted public and private sector sourcing strategies and implementation plans can, accelerate industrialization, job creation, improved service delivery, rural development to name but a few,” Dr. Douglas Boateng Chairperson of the CIPS Advisory Board has said.

The regional wide multi sectorial conference which is the first to be held in Ghana is expected to give the continents public and private sector executives and decision makers a real opportunity to gain insightful knowledge into professional procurement and its strategic link to long term economic development.

For more information please contact Maame Ama Tandoh on 0269086875 or via mail mtandoh@gmaworld.com