Ghana is sifting to sustainable construction to prevent environmental crisis

Speaking to attendees at a workshop held in Accra, Dr. Prince Hamid Armah, who serves as the Member of Parliament for Kwesimintsim and acts as an advisor to the Minister for Works and Housing, highlighted the urgent need for sustainable construction methods in Ghana. In addition, in collaboration with UN-Habitat and UNOPs, the Ministry of Works and Housing plans to advance sustainability initiatives that align with Ghana's development goals, thus ensuring a healthier and more sustainable future for all citizens.

The initiative aims to decrease the environmental impact of construction by adopting energy-efficient systems, securing green building certifications, and using sustainable materials as the workshop outlined. Moreover, the government has reiterated its dedication to transforming the construction landscape by incorporating eco-friendly materials.

The workshop was operating under the theme "Enhancing Ghana's Built Environment with Sustainable Materials," and has brought together members from various sectors including industry leaders, policymakers, and environmental experts. Their collective aim was to devise strategies for fostering a construction industry that is both resilient and environmentally friendly.

Dr. Armah emphasized the environmental consequences of rapid urbanization and the construction industry's substantial contribution to global carbon emissions. Drawing from the United Nations Environment Programme's 2022 findings, he noted the sector's responsibility for over a third of global energy-related carbon emissions. It should be pointed out, that Dr. Armah concluded the workshop by encouraging collective action among stakeholders to carry out the discussed strategies.