Compliance with the public procurement act 2003, (act 663) a case study of selected second cycle educational institutions in Ashanti region of Ghana

Abstract

This study examined the compliance with Public Procurement Act 2003, (ACT 663) among selected second cycle educational institutions in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The objective was to determine the level of awareness of management and procurement staff of selected schools with the Public Procurement Act and examined the level of compliance with the provisions in Act 663 by the selected senior high schools in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. It also aims at identifying factors affecting compliance with the transparency provisions of Act 663 and examined procurement practices on the cost of boarding fees. The simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select the sample which consisted of a population of ten (10) selected senior high schools with ten (10) respondents from each selected senior high school making a sampling size of one hundred (100) in the Ashanti Region. The finding from the study revealed that the selected educational institutions and respondents were aware of the Public Procurement Act 2003, (ACT 663) as used in the country. Respondents were also aware that the Procurement Act is applicable in all government establishment including second cycle institutions. The results of the study on the effects of procurement practices on cost of feeding revealed that lack of transparency makes the cost of items especially food very expensive, further respondents disagreed that procurement practices had no effects or bearing on the cost of items purchased. It came to light the policies and procurement procedures outlined in the Public Procurement Act do not totally apply to schools. This is because some of the products, works or services they acquire do not necessarily fall under the threshold of the procurement methods. Among the recommendations are, senior high schools be provided with procurement units that are managed by quality personnel who have the requisite knowledge, training and competence in procurement.