Participants at the 2026 Procurement Masterclass organised by KRIF Ghana Limited have praised the programme for equipping them with practical knowledge and fresh perspectives to improve procurement practices and professional performance.
The Masterclass, held under the theme “Buying Better: Cost, Quality, Risk & Total Value in Workplace Procurement,” brought together more than 100 procurement professionals and business practitioners from leading public and private institutions.
Participants represented institutions including the Bank of Ghana, the Office of the President, the Ghana Police Service, Tobinco Media Group and organisations within the health sector, among others.
The gathering provided a platform for professionals from different sectors to share experiences, discuss workplace challenges and explore practical strategies for improving procurement efficiency and organisational performance.
Millicent “Mimi” Gidisu, Deputy Manager at the Energy Commission, said the programme had broadened her understanding of procurement planning and sustainable procurement.
She emphasised the need for procurement professionals to look beyond the initial cost of goods and services and consider value for money, sustainability and effective asset management.
“The facilitators were very good, and the sessions were very interactive and practical,” she said.
Ms. Gidisu recommended the Masterclass to other procurement professionals and encouraged KRIF Ghana to sustain the initiative. She also proposed that future editions could be organised as residential programmes to allow participants more time for learning, interaction and professional networking.
Maxwell Ackah, Procurement Head for the Southern Sector of DBS Industry, also described the programme as a valuable opportunity for professional development.
He commended KRIF Ghana for investing in the capacity development and career advancement of procurement professionals.
Moving Beyond the Lowest Price
A central message of the Masterclass was the need for organisations to move beyond the traditional practice of prioritising the lowest price when making procurement decisions.
Management and Procurement Consultant Kobina Atta Bedu cautioned against “maverick buying”, which he described as unplanned purchasing outside established procurement systems and procedures.
He said such practices could undermine organisational strategy, weaken spending controls and negatively affect financial performance.
Mr. Bedu urged procurement professionals to develop a broader understanding of their organisations by familiarising themselves with corporate objectives, vision, values and business strategies.
According to him, procurement professionals must understand the bigger picture and translate their organisations’ strategic priorities into appropriate procurement strategies.
He explained that organisations pursuing cost leadership might require procurement strategies focused on competitive pricing and cost efficiency, while businesses seeking differentiation might need to prioritise quality and other factors that create a competitive advantage.
Procurement as a Strategic Function
Executive Chairman of KRIF Ghana Limited, Rev. Kennedy Okosun, challenged procurement professionals to continuously upgrade their knowledge and move beyond viewing procurement as merely an administrative function.
He said effective procurement leadership required a sound understanding of finance, operations, technology, strategy and leadership to enable professionals to contribute meaningfully to organisational decision-making.
Rev. Okosun also urged practitioners to consider quality, risk, efficiency and total value rather than focusing exclusively on price.
He noted that KRIF Ghana’s four decades of experience working with institutions had reinforced its conviction that effective procurement leadership could have a direct impact on organisational performance.
Emotional Intelligence and Leadership
International Development Consultant and former USAID Chief of Party in Zambia, Maggie Lada, identified emotional intelligence, curiosity and sound judgement as essential qualities for procurement professionals aspiring to leadership positions.
She said professionals needed to build effective relationships across departments, manage disagreements constructively and maintain collaboration while upholding procurement standards.
Ms. Lada explained that although technical knowledge and attention to detail remained fundamental, emotional intelligence became increasingly important as professionals progressed into middle and senior management.
She encouraged procurement managers to approach their superiors with possible solutions rather than simply presenting problems.
She also urged practitioners to remain curious, think creatively and explore how procurement regulations could be applied to support broader organisational objectives.
Practical Learning and Professional Development
The KRIF Ghana Procurement Masterclass distinguished itself through its emphasis on practical learning, including a Procurement Challenge Lab that required participants to work in teams to address a realistic procurement scenario.
The exercise took participants through key stages of the procurement process, from planning to contract award, giving them an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to practical workplace situations.
Other sessions focused on professional development, procurement beyond the lowest price, the hidden costs of cheap purchases and effective approaches to supplier evaluation.
Participants also took part in an action-planning session and networking activities designed to help them translate the lessons into practical improvements within their respective organisations.
Certificates of participation were presented at the end of the programme.
The organisers said the Masterclass was designed to strengthen the competence of procurement professionals, broaden their strategic outlook and equip them with practical approaches to delivering greater value to their organisations.
With participants drawn from financial services, government, security, media and healthcare, the programme also created opportunities for cross-sector learning, knowledge sharing and professional networking.
The commendations from participants underscore the importance of continuous professional development and the growing recognition of procurement as a strategic function that can influence cost management, operational efficiency and overall organisational success.
