Anti-corruption campaigners say Ghana’s quest at meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4 and 16 are threatened by corruption.
They fear these areas of health, education, peace; justice and good governance could be derailed by poor procurement practices.
These were highlighted in a corruption risk analysis report commissioned by the Ghana Anti Corruption Coalition and the Ghana Integrity Initiative
The findings appeared worrisome as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 4 which focus on universal health care and comprehensive and inclusive education come up as one of the cardinal needs for developing countries like Ghana.
The next indicator of priority which touches the core of development falls on SDG 16 which harps peace, justice and strong institutions.
Unfortunately, though, Anti Corruption bodies fear Ghana will not be able to meet these targets because of the canker of corrupt procurement practices associated with these critical areas of heavy expenditure.
It findings highlight loopholes, political patronage, nepotism, financial misappropriation and the lack of monitoring as the biggest threats to the attainment of the UN Sustainable Goals in Ghana.
Speaking to Ultimate News on the sidelines of a media sensitization, the communications officer for the Ghana Anti Corruption Coalition Faustina Djabatey warned that until the E-Procurement Systems are implemented and strictly monitored to the letter; grave infractions will continue to fester in these three critical areas of national life.
“The adoption of the E-Procurement platform hosted by the Public Procurement Authority will have the procurement processes clear and if there is bidding for a particular contract, even the citizens will have the opportunity to scrutinize which contracts have been awarded to who and on what merits,” She explained.
The Ghana Integrity Initiative which is a partner to the project has indicated that it will be using the findings to demand answers from sector heads in health, education, peace, and justice.
Zonal coordinator for the GII Osei Bonsu Enin told reporter Ivan Heathcote – Fumador, some positive actionable steps from these institutions will put the UN SDGs back on track.
Some Journalists who benefitted from the media sensitization shared observations and how the information empowers them to play their anti-corruption watchdog roles in their various media houses.
The project which is funded by Starr Ghana is expected to be graduated into a national dialogue which will pile pressure on the government to demonstrate its commitment to ensuring a corruption-free procurement regime in the management of Healthcare, Education, Public Services and the Judiciary.
