The College of Health Sciences at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST) has organised a workshop on procurement processes and the Public Procurement Act to improve compliance and administrative efficiency within the college.

Speaking at the event, the Procurement Officer, Mr. Kwame Adu-Gyamfi, stressed the importance of transparency and integrity in procurement activities, particularly as KNUST gains recognition for its compliance standards.

“We used to be at Category C, but now we are recognised at the same level as Categories A and B institutions. This means we must ensure we always do the right thing,” he said.

Mr. Adu-Gyamfi disclosed that officials from the Procurement Directorate, Internal Audit and Finance Office were recently invited to the Ministry of Finance to discuss audit observations and compliance issues identified in previous assessments.

“They do not want to come back and see the same audit issues again,” he noted.

He explained that public procurement involves the purchase of goods, works and services using public funds and must follow approved legal procedures to ensure fairness, transparency and value for money. He also urged departments to submit procurement plans early to enable the university obtain the approvals required under the amended Procurement Act.

“If requests are delayed, procurement activities will also be delayed,” he cautioned.

Mr. Adu-Gyamfi further warned against splitting procurement orders to avoid procurement thresholds, describing the practice as a violation of the law.

The Provost of the College, Prof. Christian Agyare, emphasised the need for continuous education and training in procurement practices to ensure compliance. He encouraged staff to adhere strictly to procurement procedures and seek guidance whenever necessary to avoid breaches of the law.

“Our task is to guarantee constant education and training because it is clearly stated in the Act. Go by the procurement procedures and comply with them. When in doubt, ask questions and seek clarification from the appropriate officers,” he advised.

Prof. Agyare also urged staff to make procurement requests on time to ensure proper processing and avoid delays.

“You need to make timely requests for items because procurement processes now require strict compliance and proper documentation,” he noted.

He commended participants for their commitment to the workshop and expressed optimism that the training would enhance collaboration and efficiency within the college.