A Vision for Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy
Ghana's long-term economic transformation agenda, the 24-hour economy programme, presents an ambitious and timely vision: repositioning the country as a round-the-clock, export-driven, and productive economy that operates with modern infrastructure, skilled human capital, and integrated value chains. This initiative aims to drive sustainable growth by ensuring that key sectors of the economy function efficiently and continuously.
Under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, the programme outlines three main initiatives—Grow24, Aspire 24, and Connect24—that target specific areas such as agriculture, skills acquisition, and logistics. These initiatives are designed to provide targeted support and interventions across core sectors of the economy. While this is a promising step forward, achieving the set goals and broader economic gains will require more than just policies and projects—it will demand a fundamental shift in how goods, services, and infrastructure are procured across the country.
This is where strategic procurement comes into play. Procurement functions must go beyond paperwork and become a powerful lever for driving economic transformation. For Ghana to operate around the clock, with agro-processing factories running at midnight, logistics systems moving goods seamlessly, and technical training centres preparing youth for industry, we must rethink how public procurement connects to these goals.
Currently, procurement units within government ministries and agencies are often treated as compliance centers, focusing on process, documentation, and approvals. While this is essential to avoid mismanagement, it often misses the bigger picture: procurement is not just about buying; it’s about delivering national priorities. We can no longer afford to have procurement come in late, issue generic tenders, or unintentionally shut out local businesses that lack access or visibility.
A Practical Solution – Sectoral Procurement Delivery Units (SPDUs)
To address existing procurement and supply chain delivery gaps in both public and private institutions, I propose the establishment of Sectoral Procurement Delivery Units (SPDUs) within key ministries and agencies. These would be cross-functional teams comprising procurement officers, technical experts, finance specialists, and monitoring staff. Their role would be to manage procurement as an end-to-end delivery tool, not just a compliance task.
These units would work directly within priority sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, health, and education, each aligned with specific 24-hour pillars. Unlike traditional procurement units that focus on transactional bidding and contract award processes, SPDUs would:
- Engage local suppliers early to shape realistic, locally relevant tender.
- Align procurement planning with national value chains and industrial capacity.
- Modify technical specifications to encourage Made-in-Ghana products.
- Monitor project delivery, not just contract signing.
- Enable SMEs, cooperatives, and local manufacturers to compete and deliver.
Real-World Applications
Let’s consider some practical scenarios with Grow24 and Aspire24, which focus on agriculture and skills development. Grow24 aims to transform agriculture and agro-processing. Today, we often import irrigation equipment or agro-inputs that could be sourced locally with the right planning. An SPDU in the Ministry of Agriculture could identify Ghanaian suppliers early, help design specs they can meet, and ensure consistent delivery.
With Aspire24, which targets skills development, instead of importing vocational tools, an SPDU working with TVET authorities could partner with local producers of tools, training kits, or even 3D-printed parts—stimulating industry while equipping youth.
This model doesn’t create new bureaucracy—it makes existing systems smarter, more strategic, and more responsive to Ghana’s development goals.
Benefits of the SPDU Model
The benefits of implementing SPDUs are clear:
- Faster delivery of 24-hour projects through better planning and supplier readiness.
- Reduced reliance on imports, saving foreign exchange and supporting local industries.
- Increased participation of Ghanaian SMEs and innovators in public procurement.
- Better value for money and stronger accountability in execution.
A Patriotic Offer
As a procurement and supply chain professional, I believe this approach can help make the 24-hour economy vision a success—and I am willing to support this initiative pro bono as a patriotic Ghanaian. We are at a critical moment. We can either continue with fragmented, reactive procurement—or we can turn procurement into a tool for economic sovereignty, job creation, and national resilience. If we buy local, plan strategically, and build with intention, Ghana’s 24-hour economy will not just be a slogan—it will be our lived reality.
Komentar
Posting Komentar