The 2026 KRIF Ghana Procurement Master Class was held in Accra, drawing over 100 procurement professionals and business practitioners from various public and private institutions. The programme's theme was “Buying Better: Cost, Quality, Risk and Total Value in Workplace Procurement.” It aimed to equip participants with practical approaches to improving procurement performance and contributing to organisational growth. The event was reported by the Ghana News Agency.
Participants in the Master Class came from institutions such as the Bank of Ghana, the Office of the President, the Ghana Police Service, Tobinco Media Group, and the health sector. The programme featured presentations and practical sessions by procurement and management consultant, Mr Kobina Atta Bedu, and International Development Consultant and former USAID Chief of Party in Zambia, Ms Maggie Lada.
During the Master Class, Mr Kobina Atta Bedu cautioned procurement professionals against “maverick buying”, which he described as purchasing outside established procurement systems and procedures. He noted that such practices could undermine an organisation’s strategy, spending controls, and financial performance. Mr Bedu urged organisations to establish procurement structures that supported their vision and objectives.
Mr Bedu advised procurement professionals to understand their organisations’ corporate objectives, vision, values, and business strategies. This understanding would enable them to develop procurement strategies aligned with broader organisational goals. He also noted that organisations pursuing cost leadership required procurement strategies that secured goods and services at competitive prices.
Ms Maggie Lada identified emotional intelligence, curiosity, and sound judgement as important qualities for procurement professionals seeking to advance into leadership positions. She emphasised that technical knowledge and attention to detail remained important, but emotional intelligence became increasingly critical as professionals moved into middle and senior management.
Rev. Kennedy Okosun, the Executive Chairman of KRIF Ghana Limited, challenged procurement professionals to continuously upgrade their knowledge and move beyond viewing procurement as merely an administrative function. He urged participants to look beyond price when making procurement decisions and consider quality, risk, efficiency, and total value.
The Master Class included a Procurement Challenge Lab, where participants worked in teams to address a simulated procurement scenario. Other sessions focused on professional development, procurement beyond the lowest price, and practical approaches to supplier evaluation. Certificates of participation were presented to participants at the end of the programme.
Key points
- The 2026 KRIF Ghana Procurement Master Class had over 100 participants from various institutions in Ghana.
- The programme aimed to equip participants with practical approaches to improving procurement performance and contributing to organisational growth.
- The Master Class featured presentations by procurement and management consultants, Mr Kobina Atta Bedu and Ms Maggie Lada.
