The sterling performance of Procurement and Supply Chain units and experts that are constantly saving costs and driving profits in their various organisations were recognised and celebrated at the 4^th Africa Procurement and Supply Chain Awards, which took place last Friday, 24^th June at Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra.

Keynoting the event under the theme “Driving Excellence in Procurement and Supply Chain Management” by the Head of the Local Government Service, Ign. Dr Nana Ato Arthur at, he espoused the essence of good procurement practices in the provision of goods and services to the citizenry across the 16 Regional Coordinating Councils and the 261 Municipal, Metropolitan and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in Ghana.

He added that in ensuring value for money, the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 656) provides for public procurement, effective tendering and contract processes and quality.

The Head of the Local Government Service explained that the government is making relentless efforts to mitigate procurement breaches in service delivery as well as the use of E-procurement.

Addressing the participants, Ign. Dr Ato Arthur, urged procurement and supply chain practitioners to be guided by the principles of ethics and good public procurement management

Commending the CEO of Instinctwave, Ign. Dr Ato Arthur stated that the event management organisation is increasingly becoming very relevant and rich partner to the public sector in Africa.

The prestigious Awards brought together the most innovative and transformative players as well as practitioners who exemplify how to maintain integrity in procurement and supply chain processes from across the profession to recognise and celebrate excellence.

Chief Executive Officer of Instinctwave, Akin Naphtal, expressed his excitement about the 4^th edition of the awards scheme, describing it as a unique scheme that will motivate and raise the standards of professionals & industry players in terms of their contribution to the success and growth of African businesses. 

According to him, all Procurement and Supply Chain Departments that cut across all industries in the private and public sector space play significant roles in ensuring the development of organisations.

The CEO of Instinctwave added that in 2020, the global supply chain management market was valued at US$15.85 billion and it is expected to reach almost US$ 31 billion by 2026.

“Given today's volatile and disruptive environment, supply chain organizations must become more flexible, and the solution is digitalization. In the next three to five years, we will see an increase in the adoption of digital supply chain technologies, as well as technologies that improve human decision making”, he stated.

Mr Naphtal further added that in most times, little attention and recognition are given to the Procurement and Supply Chain industry, hence, the organisation of the Africa Procurement and Supply Chain Awards.

“To deepen our engagement, have also launched the Supply Chain Africa Magazine, a bi-weekly publication showcasing the growth, challenges and opportunities in the Industry”, he concluded.

At the Awards Night, recognition was be bestowed upon leading procurement experts, teams and top procurement & supply chain organisations, whose outstanding leadership and practices have raised the standards of procurement within the profession, showcasing top ethics, best practices, tact and brilliance in managing organizations’ supplies as well as promoting business growth and sustainability.

The 4^th Africa Procurement and Supply Chain Awards Night provided an exceptional opportunity for stakeholders in the finance sector to network, entertain patrons, reinforce relationships with industry stakeholders and rewarded staff with exceptional performance.

Some of the institutions who were honoured at the gala night include outstanding personalities from Ghana, Nigeria and other African countries.

Below is a list of winners who were honoured at the glamorous event:

Ing Jacqline Ofori Atta (Regional General Manager)	Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG)
Joyce Akuamoah (Procurement & Supply Chain Manager)	Ministry of Trade & Industry
Adams Zuwii (Head of Procurement)	Ghana Education Service (GES)
Mr. Ebenezer Agyekum (Procurement  Director)	Ministry of Energy
Araba Kudiabor (Procurement Director)	Ghana Health Service
Abdul-Jamil Isaka (Head of Procurement Unit)	Office Of The Head Of The Local Government Service

Excellence in Procurement & Supply Chain: SOE	Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA)
Excellence in Procurement & Supply Chain: Manufacturing	Guinness Ghana
Excellence in Procurement & Supply Chain: Healthcare	Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH)
Procurement & Supply Chain Transformation Awards	Vodafone Ghana
Best in SOE Procurement Compliance	Volta River Authority (VRA)
Local Sourcing Initiative Award	AirtelTigo
Procurement & Supply Chain Hall of Fame	MTN Ghana

Team Award Categories
Procurement & Supply Chain Team of the Year: Nigeria	MTN Nigeria
Procurement Team of the Year (Public Sector): Bronze	Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (Kath)
Procurement Team of the Year: (Public Sector): Silver	Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA)
Procurement Team of the Year (Public Sector): Gold	Volta River Authority (VRA)
Procurement & Supply Chain Team of the Year: Bronze	Vodafone Ghana

Among Africa’s top 50 Procurement and Supply Chain Leaders, the following personalities present at the Awards Night were announced:

Africa’s top 50 Procurement and Supply Chain Leaders
Patrick Afari (General Manager, Supply Chain)	MTN Ghana
Evlyn Sam (Chief Supply Chain Officer)	AirtelTigo
Ngozi Aghomi (Supply Chain Director)	Guinness Ghana
Araba Kudiabor (Procurement  Director)	Ghana Health Service
Youssef Herrera (Supply Chain Management and Procurement Director)	IHS Towers
Isaac Tosu (Supply Chain Director)	Guinness Nigeria
Dr. Robert Kweku Tay (Deputy Director, Procurement)	Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA)

Individual Categories
Best Student in Procurement  and Supply Chain	Aaron Antwi
Industry Personality of the Year: Public Sector	Dr. Robert Kweku Tay (Deputy Director, Procurement) Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA)

Industry Personality of the Year: Private Sector	Patrick Afari (General Manager, Supply Chain) MTN Ghana
Procurement & Supply Chain Professional of the Year (Private)	Henry Opoku-Agyen (Head Supply Chain) AngloGold Iduapreim
Public Sector Procurement Professional of the Year	Owusu Bempa (Deputy Director - Supply Chain Management) Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH)
Manufacture Executive of the year	Adekola Lamidi (Cluster Manufacturing Director Sub Sahara Africa) FrieslandCampina
Woman in Supply Chain Award	Eva Antwi (Head of Supply Chain) Vodafone Ghana
Emerging Procurement Leader	Nkechi Esechie (Country Cluster Procurement Manager - Nigeria & Central-West Africa) Beiersdorf
Procurement & Supply Chain Rising Star of the Year	Precious Baidoo, Procurement Director| AirtelTigo
Supply Chain Leadership Award	Evelyn Sam (Chief Supply Chain Officer) AirtelTigo
Life Time Achievement in Procurement Award	Dirk Karl (Group Executive and Chief Procurement Officer) MTN Group