Over 20 organizations, including ministries, hospitals, and other establishments, have been granted permission by the Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA) to independently handle procurement tasks. The authorization ceremony took place at the National Assembly on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.

Phoday M. Jaiteh, the Director General of GPPA, described the authorization as a significant milestone in the development of public procurement in The Gambia. According to Jaiteh, decentralizing public procurement has several implications and repercussions that can improve the efficacy and efficiency of the nation’s procurement procedures. The approved institutions will no longer need to consult the GPPA for procurement at the institutional level. Jaiteh stated, “We are not only streamlining procedures but also fostering a culture of autonomy and accountability.”

Decentralization places procurement decision-making closer to the point of need, improving agility and responsiveness. These approved groups can quickly respond to the unique needs and challenges faced by their institutions, resulting in expedited project execution, fewer administrative obstacles, and improved citizen service delivery.

The authorization program aims to enable government departments and entities to handle procurement functions efficiently while upholding the highest standards of transparency and integrity, according to Ebrima Sanyang, Director of Procurement Policy and Operations. Sanyang emphasized, “We aim to streamline procurement processes, enhance operational efficiency, and promote greater responsiveness to the needs of our citizens by granting autonomy to these institutions.”

Deputy Permanent Secretary Ansumana Sanneh, speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, highlighted the importance of the GPPA in ensuring that public procurement operations follow strict guidelines for transparency and equity.

After conducting a capacity assessment in compliance with the 2022 Public Procurement Act, the Gambia Public Procurement Authority authorized eight institutions to conduct procurement in May 2023. The newly authorized institutions include the Gambia Ports Authority, NAWEC, GNPC, the Ministry of Health, Gamtel, Gamcel, the National Assembly, NDMA, and the Office of the Vice President.

The second group of organizations recently granted permission to handle procurement tasks independently includes the National Roads Authority, Office of the President, Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation, Kanifing General Hospital, Bundung Maternal Hospital, Gambia Maritime Administration, National Audit Office, Bansang General Hospital, Gambia Revenue Authority, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Bwiam General Hospital, Gambia Ferry Services Management Company, Ministry of Public Service, Gambia Printing and Publishing Corporation, Gambia International Airlines, OIC Secretariat, Gambia Farafenni General Hospital, Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology, Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Gambians Abroad Ministry of Justice.