PPI Ghana congratulates Dr Abdul-Baasit Aziz-Bamba: Ghana needs a proper reset on value for money

The Progressive Policy Institute, Ghana (PPI) has extended its warmest congratulations to Dr Abdul-Baasit Aziz-Bamba upon his appointment as Acting Director-General of the Value for Money Office. This appointment arrives at a critical juncture in Ghana's public financial management efforts. The newly established Value for Money Office aims to rigorously scrutinize public expenditure, ensuring that taxpayer funds generate tangible benefits for citizens.

Dr Aziz-Bamba's appointment as Acting Director-General, pending further guidance from the Governing Board, underscores the importance PPI places on his expertise and dedication to this crucial role.

PPI's endorsement of Dr Aziz-Bamba stems from his impressive academic and professional background. As a Harvard-trained lawyer and former Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana School of Law, he possesses the legal acumen, scholarly experience, and analytical acumen necessary to steer the Value for Money Office with competence, independence, and evidence-based decision-making.

PPI urges Dr Aziz-Bamba to uphold the highest standards, ensuring that his actions are guided by merit, impartiality, and an unwavering commitment to evidence-based policies.

The Value for Money Office's mandate must transcend political affiliations, contract authorizations, or institutional affiliations. The same rigorous standards should apply to all public institutions, contractors, and major expenditure decisions. PPI contends that the conversation surrounding public expenditure should shift from merely the volume of spending to the tangible outcomes achieved.

Value for money extends beyond procedural compliance to encompass the reasonableness of pricing, proper contract management, successful project delivery, operational functionality of assets, adherence to maintenance obligations, and ultimately, the realization of intended benefits for citizens.

To bolster its credibility, the Value for Money Office must harness the power of modern data analytics, benchmarking, technical expertise, and transparent reporting while preserving fairness and due process. Red flags should serve as catalysts for investigations, not as pretexts for corruption allegations. PPI pledges its unwavering support as a research-driven civil society organization, collaborating with civil society, Parliament, the media, academia, and citizens to fortify public expenditure accountability.

Dr Aziz-Bamba's appointment is a testament to Ghana's commitment to ushering in a new era of public spending that transcends mere financial outlays. Ghana does not require additional public spending; it demands public spending that generates public value. PPI expresses its heartfelt congratulations to Dr Aziz-Bamba and extends its best wishes for a successful tenure. It is imperative that every cedi of public money works diligently for the public good.