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ISSN (Print: 2537-0731, online: 2537-074X)
International Journal on:
Proceedings of Science and Technology
Towards an Uptake Framework for the Green Building Concept in
Ghana: A Theoretical Review
L.F Anzagira
1
, E Badu
1
, D Duah
2
1
Department of Construction Tech. & Management, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology,
Kumasi.
2
Architecture Department, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Kumasi. Corresponding
author: leefelix611@gmail.com
Abstract
The Green Building Concept (GBC), has become a topical issue and is receiving global attention as a potential
solution to numerous adverse effects of construction activity both climatically and environmentally. Globally,
the construction industry alone consumes 50% of all resources, 45% of all Energy and adds to 35% of CO
2
emissions. Several developed countries has embraced the GBC as the most formidable solution to the preservation
of their natural resources and cutting down on the negative impacts of construction on the climate and environment.
However, uptake of the concept in the Ghana Construction industry is very minimal and not at the desired rate with
only four (4) certified green buildings. This creates a fragile environment which undermines Ghana’s efforts at
realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A critical review of literature is conducted exploring the implementation of the GBC in Ghana. Through discus-
sions, the research established the present status of the practice in Ghana as well as the drivers responsible for this
current state. The implications of these drivers in the Ghana construction industry are discussed as well. For an
increased uptake of the concept in Ghana and Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), key measures to ensure rapid uptake are
recommended to include; a national education, awareness and publicity campaign, the imposition of mandatory
government regulations and policies and the provision of financial and market-based incentives amongst others.
© 2019 The Authors. Published by IEREK press. This is an open access article under the CC BY license
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Keywords
Green building concept; Ghana construction industry; Rating tools; Implementation; Drivers; Uptake; Promotion
Strategies;
1. Introduction
The world population has increased significantly over the last century, rising from 1 billion in 2000 to 7 billion in
2011 (UNFPA, 2017). Current global population according to the UNFPA (2017) is estimated at 7.5 billion people
with an indication that it will increase to about 10 billion people the year 2050. The increasing population coupled
with rapid urbanization globally, demands more physical developments to provide the shelter needs of humans.
As such, global construction industry has the critical duty of meeting the shelter needs of the fast growing popula-
tion of the world. World Economic Forum (2013) posits that to support a projected global population of 9 billion
by 2050, an estimated US$ 5 trillion per year needs to be invested in global infrastructure. Aside the investment
pg. 57
DOI: 10.21625/resourceedings.v2i1.452