World Bank to use procurement modules developed under $547m MCC for Ghana

The World Bank has signed a pact that will allow the institution to use procurement modules that were first developed under the recently completed $547 million US Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact for Ghana.

The modules were developed under the Procurement Capacity Activity programme of the compact.

The MCC, the World Bank and the Ghana Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) on May 30, 2013 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the matter that is believed will help strengthen public procurement around the world.

According to officials, the MOU provides professional-level curriculum and modules for the World Bank to “use in its education programmes worldwide”, which will establish a path to stronger procurement practices.

“This is an exciting collaboration that allows us to share our experiences and promote procurement professionalization,” the MCC’s Procurement Director, Mary Jo Johnson said in a statement.

“The new approach to procurement professionalization developed with MCC assistance builds skills and experience in a critical young procurement profession, and African governments are in need of these scarce skills as they modernize their civil services,” Jo Johnson added.

The MCC explains that the modules were based on degree programmes to enhance procurement in the public sector.

It adds that the programme represented a new national approach to educate Ghana’s university students and civil service on international procurement standards and about 300 public procurement personnel and students received training, with many others still enrolled.

According to the Corporation, 1,250 students participated in procurement internships at government offices, and 200 of those landed permanent or temporary jobs.

By Ekow Quandzie