Latest Info on Ghana gov spend, Public Purchasing, Govt budget & Public spending

Public Procurement in Ghana

Public procurement in Ghana is a legally regulated and institutionally established system through which the government of Ghana acquires goods, works, and services required for public administration, infrastructure delivery, and socio-economic development. Public procurement is a major channel of government expenditure and a critical instrument for implementing national development policies.

Procurement activities in Ghana are conducted by ministries, departments, agencies, and local government authorities under a centralised regulatory framework. The system is designed to promote transparency, accountability, value for money, and fair competition while ensuring compliance with approved budgets and statutory requirements.

For domestic suppliers, contractors, and international firms, government tenders in Ghana provide access to one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest public procurement markets. Opportunities exist across infrastructure, goods supply, consultancy services, and donor-supported projects, supported by an expanding national eProcurement platform.

Country & Economic Overview

Public Procurement Governance Framework

Public procurement governance in Ghana is anchored in a centralised regulatory authority with decentralised execution across public entities. Policy oversight and regulatory control are exercised to ensure uniform application of procurement rules nationwide.

• Public Procurement Agency (PPA): Ghana Public Procurement Authority
• PPA Website: https://ppa.gov.gh/
• Is PPA a Central Purchasing Body? No
• Relevant Ministry: Ministry of Finance
• Number of Certified Contracting Officers: 10

Legal & Regulatory Framework

The public procurement law in Ghana is governed by the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663), as amended, together with subsidiary regulations. The law defines procurement methods, approval thresholds, evaluation criteria, and complaint mechanisms.

• Public Procurement Law:
  https://ppa.gov.gh/online-documents/public-procurement-act/
  https://ppa.gov.gh/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/PPA_Regulations_2022.pdf
• Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Article 2
• Life Cycle Costing (LCC): Article 2
• Value for Money (VfM): Article 16(2)(c)
• MEAT: Article 59(1)
• Sustainability: Article 2
• Bid Securities: Article 55
• Public Bid Openings: Article 56
• Domestic Preference: Article 60

Procurement Procedures & Thresholds

E-Procurement System Overview

The eProcurement system in Ghana, known as GHANEPS, provides an integrated digital platform covering the full procurement lifecycle and supports transparency, efficiency, and competition.

• System Name: Ghana’s Electronic Procurement System (GHANEPS)
• Website: https://ghaneps.gov.gh/
• Launch Year: 2019
• Ownership Model: Government owned and operated
• System Type: Proprietary build
• Supported Functionalities: eProcurement Planning, ePublishing, eTendering, eEvaluation, eContract Management, Vendor Management, eCatalogues, eComplaints, eReverse Auctions
• Supported Language: English
• Tender Documents Downloadable: Yes
• Supported by the World Bank: Yes
• Percentage of Spend via eProcurement: 0.02
• Percentage of Transactions via eProcurement: 0.2
• Applicable Charges: Tender submission fees, registration fees

Procurement Market Characteristics

Ghana’s public procurement market spans goods, works, and services across central government, sub-national authorities, and public institutions.

• Procurement covers infrastructure, health, education, utilities, and administrative services
• Domestic and international suppliers participate depending on contract scope
• Evaluation methods include MEAT and price-based assessments as prescribed by law

Transparency, Complaints & Oversight

• Published Annual Reports: https://ppa.gov.gh/online-documents/ppa-publications/annual-reports/#1546943956278-38b43be5-af07
• Procurement Statistics: https://ppa.gov.gh/online-documents/ppa-publications/annual-reports/#1546943956278-38b43be5-af07
• Complaint Handling: Defined under Article 82 of Act 663

Sustainability & Green Public Procurement

• Green Public Procurement Strategy: Yes
• Use of Green Procurement Practices: Provided for in law
• Mandatory Green Procurement: No
• Legal Basis for Green Procurement: Public Procurement Act, Article 2

Social & Ethical Procurement Considerations

The public procurement framework in Ghana incorporates ethical and governance principles through statutory procurement rules, supplier eligibility requirements, and oversight mechanisms.

Key Challenges & Practical Insights for Bidders

• Strict compliance with statutory procedures and documentation is essential
• Registration on GHANEPS is mandatory for participation in electronic tenders
• Bid evaluation timelines and approval processes should be factored into bid planning

Overall, public procurement in Ghana offers a structured and increasingly digitised procurement environment supported by a comprehensive legal framework and a national e-procurement platform. The system provides predictable access to government tenders for qualified domestic and international suppliers operating in Ghana.