Implementation of an E-Procurement System in Volta River Authority

Abstract

Governments in both developed and developing nations have embraced the idea of using information communication technology to enable them enhance the quality of services offered by public sector institutions, increase access to information and public participation. The result of this is the emergence of e-procurement which has changed the way purchasing is done in the digital age. This paper therefore assesses the implementation of an e-procurement policy and emergent training needs of procurement practitioners - the case in Volta River Authority. The study adopted the descriptive research design and qualitative research approach. The purposive sampling strategy was used to sample 56 respondents from the population of 150 at VRA-NEDCO for the survey. Primary source of data was collected using semi-structured. Finding of the study revealed critical human resource and technical requirements for the implementation of e-procurement at VRA-NEDCO. Technically, quality IT infrastructure, standard data harmonization, adequate data management and messaging strategies were required while professionalism, high internal regards for procurement, adequate and skilled procurement specialists were the opportunities for the implementation of e-procurement in Volta River Authority. Also, VRA-NEDCO provides advanced computer literacy programs (Microsoft office, excel and notepad), advanced effective communication programs to create staff awareness of e-procurement, workshop on the public procurement Act of Ghana, Basic hardware training and Data management and supplier integration skills before the implementation of the Oracle e-procurement system. In examining the major challenges associated with the implementation of e-procurement, the study found the following as challenges VRA faces in the implementation of e-procurement; technology challenges such as data system hacking and cracking, unreliable internet and technology incompatibility and integration of external systems. Some process challenges also include; unwillingness to re-engineer process, challenge of supplier adoption and initial high cost of introducing e-procurement solution. The human resource challenges to e-procurement implementation at VRA include, issues of professionalism and training requirement, availability of e-procurement experts and resistance to change management.