Sustainable Construction Implementation In Ghana: Focusing On Awareness And Challenges

Abstract

The quest for sustainable construction everywhere is mainly to achieve the dual end of ensuring a balance in infrastructural development and the ecosystem both for the present and future generations. This is due the growing realization among leading scientists and researchers that the rate at which the earth’s resources are being used exceeds its long-term capacity and undermines the vital life support system of the earth. The extent to which this all-important agenda is being pursued varies from one country to the other despite the global nature of the threat. This research assesses the level of awareness and challenges of implementing sustainable construction in Ghana. The study adopted a quantitative study design where questionnaire survey was used to elicit data from respondents. Structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from 100 randomly sampled construction practitioners (architects, quantity surveyors and structural engineers). For the data analysis, descriptive statistics and severity index were mainly used. The results of the survey demonstrated that there is low level of awareness and practical application of the concept of sustainable construction amongst stakeholders in the construction industry in Ghana. The research findings further indicate cultural change resistance, lack of commitment from government, fear of higher investment costs, lack of professional knowledge, and lack of legislation as the most severe challenges of implementing sustainable construction in Ghana.

Keywords: Awareness, Challenges, Construction Industry, Ghana, Sustainable Construction