Procurement officers trained in specification development

Procurement and supply chain professionals from across Ghana have received specialised training in the drafting of specifications, bill of quantities (BOQs) and terms of reference (TORs) to improve efficiency and value for money in procurement. 

The three-day continuous professional development workshop was organised by a consultancy firm, ProSuppConsult, at the National Banking College in Accra.

The training aimed to equip participants with the skills needed to prepare clear and effective tender documents for goods, works and consultancy services. 

Over fifty professionals from both the public and private sectors attended, including those from security services, healthcare, banking, finance, pensions, pharmaceutical, and transport companies.

Speaking at the event, Managing Consultant for ProSuppConsult, Collins Agyemang Sarpong, said the workshop sought to address gaps in procurement practices in Ghana. 

“There is a huge gap in the drafting of effective specifications for goods, the development of clear and understandable bills of quantities for works, and the drafting of terms of reference for engaging consultancy services in both public and private institutions,” he said.

Procurement gaps

Mr Sarpong emphasised that well-prepared specifications, BOQs, and TORs are crucial for ensuring competition, fairness, and value for money in procurement processes.

“Buying for luxury is not a good procurement practice; this can be solved by preparing tender documents with the right specifications and terms of reference that ensure that procured goods and contracts are fit for purpose, highly needed and offer value for money,” he said.

The workshop provided practical guidance on the preparation of tender documents, giving participants hands-on experience in drafting specifications and TORs. 

It also highlighted the role of procurement officers as coordinators in the procurement process rather than passive implementers of requests from other departments.

The workshop reflects a growing focus in Ghana on professionalising procurement processes and ensuring that institutions achieve better value for money in their spending.

By equipping procurement officers with the right skills, ProSuppConsult aims to strengthen governance in both public and private institutions. 

Participants left the training better prepared to manage the drafting of tender documents, ensuring clarity, transparency, and efficiency in procurement practices.