More than 300 stakeholders from government, development institutions, academia, the private sector, and civil society gathered in Accra to deliberate on the critical role of sustainable buildings in shaping Ghana’s future. The Summit, which took place under the theme ‘Reimagining Buildings and Cities for Economic and Social Prosperity,’ provided a robust platform for dialogue, innovation, and collaboration.
Embracing Sustainability as a Way of Life
- Sustainability is about continuity, resilience, and inclusion, according to Cyril Nii Ayitey Tetteh, the convenor of the Summit.
- “Sustainability is all about embedding sustainability into business, adopting processes with ESG frameworks, and practicing sustainable banking principles,” he noted in his welcome address.
Delivering the keynote speeches, the Minister for Works, Housing, and Water Resources, Hon. Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, affirmed the government’s determination to integrate green building practices into national development policies. He stated that the government is actively working to incorporate green building principles into its national housing strategies and programs.
Key Initiatives for Sustainable Housing
- The District Housing Programme is a key initiative aimed at delivering sustainable, affordable homes in rural and peri-urban areas using environmentally responsible, locally sourced materials.
- Mr. Adjei emphasized the need for green finance to unlock scale and accessibility in sustainable housing initiatives.
- He also highlighted the importance of affordable housing for all, regardless of income level, and acknowledged that affordability can be a fluid concept.
According to Mr. Adjei, affordable housing can range from US$60,000 to US$250,000, and he emphasized the need to redefine affordability in the context of Ghana’s housing sector.
Climate Change and Its Impact on Sustainable Cities
“Climate change is not a distant threat. It is already impacting livelihoods, infrastructure, food security, and the very sustainability of our cities,” said Mr. Issifu Seidu, Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, in a speech read by Cedric Dzelu, Technical Director to the Minister.
Mr. Seidu outlined Ghana’s broader climate response strategy and emphasized the urgent need to address climate change, citing alarming World Bank projections that climate-induced economic losses could triple by 2050, with over 30 million Ghanaians potentially exposed to extreme heat.
Technical Dimensions of Green Building
Paul Kwesi Ocran, Green Buildings Lead, Ghana, International Finance Corporation (IFC), delivered an in-depth presentation on the technical dimensions of green building in the country. He emphasized that green homes should not be limited to high-rise luxury developments.
- Ocran stressed that green homes can be affordable and accessible, and provided examples from Accra and Tamale, showing how low-tech design interventions can result in over 30% energy and water savings in affordable housing projects.
- He cited the importance of integrating sustainability into all aspects of building design and construction.
Sustainable Finance and Affordable Housing
Mr. John Sheriff Bawah, Managing Director of State Housing Company Limited (SHCL), emphasized the need to redefine affordability in Ghana’s housing sector. He noted that affordability can range from US$60,000 to US$250,000, and commended the summit for bridging technical expertise with youth innovation.
Creating a Sustainable Future
Ms. Vera Owusu-Osei, Partner and Co-Chair of the Green Transition Practice at AB & David Africa, framed the summit as a model for how legal frameworks, investment strategies, and environmental priorities can intersect. She emphasized the need for a broad coalition of partners to deliver affordable, inclusive, and sustainable cities.
The Summit concluded with a broad coalition of partners aligned to deliver affordable, inclusive, and sustainable cities—one green home at a time. The 6th Ghana Green Building Summit featured six panel discussions covering diverse aspects of sustainable building and development in Ghana.
A Sustainable Future for Ghana
| Key Takeaways | Reimagining Buildings and Cities for Economic and Social Prosperity |
| Embedding sustainability into business and practice | Integrating green building principles into national development policies |
| Need for green finance and affordable housing | Redefining affordability in the context of Ghana’s housing sector |
| Climate change and its impact on sustainable cities | Addressing climate change through sustainable development |
The 6th Ghana Green Building Summit provided a platform for stakeholders to come together and discuss the critical role of sustainable buildings in shaping Ghana’s future. The summit’s key takeaways emphasize the need to embed sustainability into business and practice, integrate green building principles into national development policies, and redefine affordability in the context of Ghana’s housing sector.
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