Integrating Environmental Sustainability into Public Procurement: Evidence from Ghanaian Local Government Entities

Environmental sustainability is a growing concern for governments as they strive to promote responsible production and consumption within the public sector. This is particularly evident in developing countries, where public procurement accounts for a significant share of national expenditure and provides governments with substantial leverage to promote environmental sustainability. This paper discusses environmental sustainability in government procurement in Ghana by evaluating the current procurement processes, determining the benefits, and evaluating measures adopted by procurement entities to promote environmental sustainability. Data were collected using a structured, closed-ended questionnaire administered to 45 procurement professionals from three public institutions. The questionnaire captured the demographics of the respondents, procurement methods, benefits, and measures related to environmental sustainability. The Relative Importance Index (RII) was used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that Open Procedure is the most commonly adopted procurement method, in accordance with the Public Procurement Act 2003 (Act 663), which emphasizes transparency and competitive tendering. The major benefits of incorporating environmental sustainability into public procurement include effective utilization of public resources, increased competition, and reduced environmental impact. Capacity building, enabling government legislations, and strong management support emerged as significant measures for promoting sustainable procurement practices. Overall, the study highlights the importance of regulatory compliance in embedding environmental sustainability within public procurement and provides practical insights for policymakers and procurement professionals in Ghana and other developing economies.