Proposed Research Field: Digital Transformation in Public Sector Supply
Chains
1. Research Title
“Optimizing Public Sector Procurement through Digital Supply Chain
Integration: A Case Study of Municipal Assemblies in Ghana”
2. Background and Rationale
Public procurement in Ghana plays a critical role in ensuring accountability,
transparency, and value for money in the use of state resources. Despite the
existence of regulatory frameworks such as the Public Procurement Act (Act
663, amended Act 914) and the ongoing implementation of the Ghana
Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), many
municipal assemblies continue to rely heavily on manual procurement
processes. These practices often result in delays, errors, limited traceability,
and weak compliance with established procedures.
With the increasing adoption of digital technologies globally, there is a
growing opportunity to leverage tools such as workflow automation, e-
procurement platforms, and integrated digital records to strengthen
procurement operations in local government. I have observed the challenges
of manual procurement processes during my professional engagement at the
municipal level, where documentation and approval procedures often slowed
down procurement cycles. These experiences have motivated me to
investigate how digital systems can be tailored to improve efficiency,
transparency, and accountability in municipal procurement operations.
3. Research Problem
Despite Ghana’s policy frameworks, procurement processes in municipal
assemblies remain largely paper-based and fragmented, limiting efficiency,
accountability, and compliance. National initiatives such as GIFMIS have not
been fully integrated into local procurement workflows.
Research Question:
How can digital tools and supply chain integration improve procurement
efficiency, compliance, and transparency within Ghana’s municipal
assemblies?
4. Research Objectives
The study seeks to:
1. Assess the current procurement practices and challenges in selected
municipal assemblies.
2. Identify digital tools and systems applicable to public sector
procurement in Ghana.
3. Design a scalable digital workflow model for procurement activities at
the municipal level.
4. Evaluate the potential impact of digital integration on procurement
performance metrics such as efficiency, compliance, and traceability.
5. Methodology
I will adopt a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and
quantitative techniques.
Qualitative: Interviews with procurement officers, administrators, and
other stakeholders within selected municipal assemblies.
Quantitative: Analysis of procurement records, timelines, and
compliance reports.
Data Sources: Municipal procurement records, stakeholder
interviews, and system audits.
Analytical Approach: Workflow mapping and comparative
performance analysis to assess improvements that digital integration
could provide.
The study will focus on two to three municipal assemblies to ensure depth of
analysis while maintaining feasibility.
6. Expected Outcomes
A framework for digital procurement tailored to the context of
Ghana’s municipal assemblies.
Policy recommendations to guide the integration of digital tools in
public procurement processes.
A prototype workflow model demonstrating improved efficiency,
traceability, and compliance in procurement.
Insights that could be scaled up to other public institutions beyond
municipal assemblies.
7. Significance of Study
This research will contribute directly to ongoing public sector reforms in
Ghana by proposing practical, technology-driven solutions for procurement.
By enhancing transparency, accountability, and efficiency in resource
utilization, the study will support national development objectives and align
with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused
on good governance and sustainable institutions.
Furthermore, the research will position me to contribute meaningfully to the
transformation of public procurement practices in Ghana, equipping me with
the knowledge and tools to support digital reforms across local government
structures.
