GIPS calls for strategic procurement to drive inclusive industrial growth
President of the Ghana Institute of Procurement and Supply (GIPS), Dr Simon Annan, has called for procurement and supply chain management to be positioned as strategic drivers of inclusive and measurable national development.
Dr Simon Annan, president of the Ghana Institute of Procurement and Supply (GIPS), has urged procurement and supply chain management to become essential tools for inclusive and quantifiable national development. Annan contended that procurement should be seen as a strategic function rather than a simple transactional or administrative task, focusing on advancing industrialization, innovation, resilience, and concrete economic outcomes.
He made this statement at the second National Procurement and Supply Chain Conference (NPSC 2026) held in Accra. "Now is the moment for Ghana to directly link procurement to industrialization, inclusive innovation, resilience, and measurable national achievements," he emphasized. Annan argued that procurement experts must transition from merely processing transactions to shaping policies, bolstering institutions, and contributing to national transformation.
To achieve this goal, he stated, Ghana must establish procurement systems that can foster industrial growth while generating opportunities for businesses and new enterprises. Annan reiterated GIPS's push for the passage of the Procurement Practicing Bill, describing it as a pivotal step for regulated and ethical procurement practice in the country.
"We cannot achieve world-class procurement results without skilled, ethical, and properly recognized procurement professionals," he said, urging continuous efforts towards the Bill's passage. The two-day conference gathered procurement professionals, policymakers, business leaders, academics, and experts to explore practical and sustainable methods for enhancing procurement practice in Ghana.
The event, themed "Powering Transformation: Smart, Inclusive and Resilient Procurement and Supply Chains for National Development," featured discussions and presentations on constructing resilient procurement systems that support sustainable development and economic expansion. In a speech read by Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Ghana's Minister of Finance, a call was made for strategic procurement practices that generate markets for local industries and spur national development.
"Government not only spends but also creates markets. Procurement and supply must align with industrial policy to create dependable markets for local businesses, attract investments, and generate employment," the minister stated. Mrs Evelyn Sam, chair of GIPS's council, advocated for procurement systems that are resilient enough to predict disruptions, diversify risks, and enhance local capacity.
She emphasized that smart procurement should be driven by data and technology while inclusive procurement should provide meaningful chances for small and medium-sized enterprises and emerging businesses.
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