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May 12, 2026
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Baffour Antoa Mensah backs reforms but warns of bureaucracy, cost escalation
Money
Policy
Key Points
- A senior procurement officer supports Ghana’s new value-for-money law but warns of potential issues.
- He highlights concerns about bureaucratic delays and increased contract costs due to mandatory pre-approval processes and certification fees.
- The success of the law is deemed heavily dependent on the independence of the proposed Value for Money Office and its implementation.
- Political interference is cited as a major risk that could undermine the law's objective of enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accountability.
- He advocates for amendments to the law to better protect procurement professionals and improve implementation, emphasizing that value extends beyond just price.
Why This Matters
This article is significant for Ghana as it discusses a new law aimed at improving public procurement efficiency and transparency, which is crucial for reducing corruption and optimizing public spending. The concerns raised about potential bureaucracy, cost escalation, and political interference highlight critical challenges that could undermine the law's intended benefits, impacting infrastructure development and service delivery across the nation.
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