You are here:

Role of Technology in Promoting Open Contracting takes Centre Stage at 13th Accra Tech Salon

TS1.17

On Tuesday 28th February, 2016, the 13th Accra Technology Salon will host key stakeholders from government agencies, civil society organisations and technologists on how Ghana’s open contracting efforts can be facilitated by leveraging ICTs at the New Media Hub in Osu, Ako-Adjei starting 8:30 AM. RSVP now!

Globally, governments spend huge amounts of money on the most basic of public needs to major projects through contracts. Open contracting; the conduit by which taxpayers’ money gets converted to meet these needs, has become a critical subject for most countries looking to ensure fairer deals and less corruption.

Ghana in recent times has shown commitment in open contracting with efforts most notably seen in its extractive sector. Multi-stakeholder advocacy groups have also doubled calls on the need for open contracting in all spheres to ensure transparency and accountability in the country.

Expected to gauge current status of adherence to open contracting standards, the next Accra Technology salon will also aim at opening up the potential in leveraging ICTs to further advance Ghana’s open contracting and public procurement efforts in adopting and strengthening a framework to guide public procurement reflecting norms and global best practices.

The 2-hour lively discussion will seek answers to what open contracting data standard is, how E-procurement systems can enhance open contracting and which technologies presently offer effective options in improving open contracting mechanism in Ghana among others.

The session will also have as key thought leaders, Sanni Hadid (Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information Systems – GIFMIS), Thomas Bondzie (Public Procurement Authority), Simon Annan (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, Ghana), and Gerald Ankrah (Smart Bid Ghana). Other key discussants will include representatives from the Ministry of Communication’s E-Transform Ghana Project team and the Ghana Contract Monitoring Group (GCMG).

The Executive Director of Penplusbytes, Kwami Ahiabenu, II, said “open contracting is essential for good governance and effective public service delivery, which are both critical to Ghana’s sustainable development and as many countries across the globe are prioritising the strengthening of procurement structures to address weaknesses in public sector governance, the tech salon will afford stakeholders the opportunity to explore the ever endless potential of technology to enhance Ghana’s efforts.”

With limited seats available, please RSVP now to join your esteemed peers at the 13th Technology Salon Accra. We’ll have hot coffee and catered breakfast treats for a morning rush, but seating is limited. Once we reach our 30-person capacity there will be a waiting list!

###

About

Penplusbytes is a not-for-profit organization driving change through innovations in three key areas: using new digital technologies to enable good governance and accountability, new media and innovations, and driving oversight for effective utilisation of mining, oil and gas revenue and resources.