By Philip Antoh
The Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF) has sworn in a 10-member Entity Tender Committee (ETC), charging it to uphold the highest standards of integrity, fairness and professionalism in the discharge of its duties.
Administering the oath at a brief ceremony held at the Fund’s secretariat in Accra, Board Member and legal practitioner Nelly Bernice Wallace officially inaugurated the committee, marking a significant step in strengthening the Fund’s governance and procurement systems.
Delivering her charge to the committee, the Administrator of GMTF, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, who also serves as Chairperson of the ETC, urged members to be objective, diligent and guided strictly by the rules and procedures that safeguard the public purse.
“Uphold integrity, fairness and professionalism in every decision that this committee will make,” she admonished, stressing that the credibility and performance of the Fund would, in many ways, depend on the committee’s work.
The 10-member committee draws its membership from diverse professional backgrounds, including representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, Ghana Medical Trust Fund, Ghana Medical Association and Ghana Institute of Procurement and Supply, ensuring a broad base of expertise to guide procurement decisions.
Ms. Darko-Opoku reminded members that the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663), as amended by Act 914, places significant responsibility on Entity Tender Committees to provide oversight, approve procurement plans, review submissions and ensure full compliance with the law.
She described the constitution of the committee as crucial, given the central role public procurement plays in government institutions.
“This committee stands at the heart of good governance within our institution,” she stated, adding that its swearing-in reflects the Fund’s unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability and value for money in all procurement activities.
According to her, GMTF will rely heavily on procurement to execute critical projects, acquire essential goods and services and ensure smooth operations.
“The effectiveness of this committee will therefore have a direct impact on our performance indicators and our ability to fulfil our mandate to the public,” she noted.
Expressing confidence in the expertise and experience of the members, Ms. Darko-Opoku said she was optimistic that the committee would significantly strengthen the Fund’s procurement oversight structure.
On behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of GMTF, she congratulated the members on their appointment and encouraged them to approach their responsibilities with dedication, commitment and integrity.