Decentralise PPPs to unlock Ghana's devt — Former boss
The former Head of Public Private Partnerships (PPP) at the Ministry of Roads and Highways, Engineer Philip Lartey, has emphasised the need to decentralise PPPs to accelerate Ghana's development.
To realise this, he suggested to the Ministry of Finance to build the capacity of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to gain a better understanding and appreciation of what PPPs are and how to implement them at the metropolitan, municipal and district assembly levels to make PPPs a decentralised initiative of the state.
Mr Lartey, who is now the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of consulting and investment firm, Don Wudi Investment, noted that the idea of PPPs, which could finance sustainable government projects and the private sector partnering government for development, was a sine qua non for national development.
He said allowing MMDAs to take ownership of development projects and partner the private sector directly would cut through bureaucratic red tape and foster quicker project delivery.
“I think the government is interested in doing PPPs, that is generally accepted. But generally in terms of how fast government can deliver on its promises to the people while working with PPPs, it must be localised and decentralised to make delivery fast and quick on government projects," he stated at the sidelines of the first quarter of the Graphic Business/Stanbic Bank Breakfast Meeting held at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra yesterday.
The meeting was on the theme: “Public-Private Sector Partnerships, Financing option for Sustainable Development”, Mr Lartey stressed that building the capacity of MMDA's staff was crucial for effective PPP implementation at the local level.
The veteran engineer noted that PPPs were essential for financing sustainable government projects and promoting national development.
However, he said that the private sector's impatience with Ghana's bureaucratic system, coupled with the government's four-year term cycles, hindered effective partnerships.
Benefits of Decentralised PPPs
He said decentralising it would ensure a faster project delivery adding that; “By empowering MMDAs to partner the private sector, projects can be implemented more quickly, without being bogged down by national-level bureaucracy,” he noted.
He added that it would also trigger increased local ownership which would enable local communities to take ownership of development projects, ensuring that they met the specific needs of the area.
“This improves efficiency; the private sector partners can bring efficiency and innovation to development projects, leading to better outcomes and value for money," she stated.