Former Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has called on the NDC government to fully implement the 30% public procurement quota for women, youth and persons with disabilities as a strategic intervention to strengthen their economic empowerment.

In a statement issued to commemorate International Women’s Day, Adwoa Safo the first woman appointed by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during his first term as Minister of State in Charge of Public Procurement and first woman Deputy Majority leader said she spearheaded the development of the 30% procurement policy to ensure that vulnerable groups gain fair access to government contracts.

She said the policy document was launched with the Chief of Staff at the time, Madam Akosua Frema Osei Opare in attendance and later presented the document to the President for approval and implementation.

According to her, the policy was designed to reserve 30% of all government procurement opportunities for businesses owned by women, young people and persons with disabilities, enabling them to build economic resilience and compete more effectively in the marketplace.

Adwoa Safo explained that women and persons with disabilities remain among the most vulnerable groups in society and therefore require deliberate policy interventions to support their economic advancement.

She noted that the policy also sought to address the persistent challenge of youth unemployment by creating avenues for young entrepreneurs to participate in government contracting.

The former minister pointed out that the NPP administration adopted and implemented the initiative, achieving approximately 20% allocation of government contracts to the targeted groups during its tenure.

However, she expressed concern that the current government has failed to sustain the momentum of the policy, urging authorities to recommit to its full implementation.

Adwoa Safo stressed that reversing or abandoning well-thought-out social and economic empowerment policies undermines national progress and deprives vulnerable groups of critical opportunities.

She indicated that Ghana just like many other countries spend approximately 60% to 80 % of its total expenditure on the procurement of goods, services and consultancy and hence the need for inclusiveness, efficiency and value for money.

She therefore called on the government to revisit and rigorously enforce the 30% procurement quota, describing it as an essential policy tool for promoting inclusive economic growth and empowerment for women, youth and persons with disabilities in Ghana.

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