The Chairman of Parliament's Public Accounts Committee, James Klutse Avedzi, is pushing for the Chief Executive Officer of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) to undergo parliamentary vetting.

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He believes this step is crucial for combating perceived corruption and enhancing accountability within the PPA.

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This advocacy comes after the committee identified procurement as a primary channel for corruption in the public sector.

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In a recent interview with JoyNews, Mr. Avedzi suggested that amending the appointment process for the PPA head could help tackle the misuse of the sole-source procurement model.

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He also highlighted the impact of low salaries for PPA leaders, which he feels increases the potential for corruption.

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“The appointment to that position as a Chief Executive or Director General of Public Procurement Authority, we should look at it again. If I am appointed by a political head, and that political head, there is a request through a sole sourcing that doesn’t satisfy the condition and that political head puts a call through saying work on that, what will you do?

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“Those sensitive positions must be appointed through a competitive bidding process. Advertise, let people apply – parliament can vet the person.”

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He has advocated for filling such sensitive positions through a competitive bidding process, suggesting that advertisements should be posted and applicants vetted by Parliament.

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Additionally, Mr. Avedzi emphasized the importance of establishing a fixed tenure for the CEO, arguing that defined term limits would empower the appointee to act with integrity and make independent decisions, ultimately promoting accountability in the role.

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