The Government has the responsibility to provide public goods and services. To fulfill this responsibility, the Government needs to procure. Governments commission road works, build lorry stations and airports, roll out utility networks, and build hospitals, schools and houses.  They also contract catering and landscaping services, buy paper, computers and furniture for public offices.  In Ghana, government procurement constitutes over 50% of the government budget.

The goods, services and works governments procure have economic, social and environmental impacts. The Government will therefore make a difference and contribute to sustainable development if it buys goods and services that have been designed, produced and supplied having factored in the environment and social risks.