Assessing electronic procurement in the public health care sector in Ghana: a case of selected hospitals in Tarkwa-Nsuaem and Sekondi-Takoradi

Abstract

The emergence of novel coronavirus accelerates the need for strategic Procurement in line with e-government initiatives. E-procurement processes in which the preponderance benefits of e-procurement are monumental, multifaceted, and harmonized with the goals of the government of Ghana to reduce costs, procurement process, minimized corruption, enhance transparency, compliance, and standardization of Procurement, improve service delivery and efficiency. This study aimed at assessing the e-procurement success and the challenges that affect its implementation. A quantitative research methodology was used as a guide to achieve the research objectives and questionnaire used to collect data from six public hospitals in Sekondi-Takoradi and Tarkwa-Nsuaem. Purposive sampling was used to obtain the required primary data from respondents that are knowledgeable about the subject area. Out of the 240 questionnaires distributed, only 150 were received and analysed. Data were analysed using SPSS version 20 based on the research objectives. The link between e-procurement and performance success was also investigated using regression analysis. It is finally concluded from the findings that the ICT infrastructure was not adequate. Also, management commitment to e-procurement, employee competence and knowledge, and application of public procurement regulations is low. The researcher also recommends, among others, that the government reduce taxes on ICT equipment and improve the e-procurement curriculum in higher educational institutions. Strengthen legal infrastructure such as privacy laws, signature laws, and other criminal laws to mitigate crime by e-transaction and possible prosecution of cybercrime and provide power stability for reliable networks and adequate computers in the public sector for e-procurement success.