Accra hosted the sixth Ghana Green Building Summit, drawing over 300 government officials, developers, academics, and civil society representatives to address the urgent integration of sustainability into the nation’s urban planning.
Under the theme “Reimagining Buildings and Cities for Economic and Social Prosperity,” participants emphasized democratizing access to eco-friendly housing amid Ghana’s rapid urbanization and climate challenges.
Cyril Nii Ayitey Tetteh, summit convener, opened the event by rejecting the notion that green buildings are a luxury. “Sustainability must be embedded in business models, banking, and everyday practices,” he asserted. Works and Housing Minister Kenneth Gilbert Adjei echoed this, outlining government efforts like the District Housing Programme, which promotes locally sourced materials for rural and peri-urban eco-homes. “Affordability is relative, but green finance can bridge gaps,” he added, stressing collaboration with financial institutions to scale solutions.
Climate Change Minister Issifu Seidu, via technical director Cedric Dzelu, warned of escalating risks, citing World Bank projections that 30 million Ghanaians could face extreme heat by 2050. “Our cities must be resilient, inclusive, and breathable,” he urged.
Practical insights emerged from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), where Paul Kwesi Ocran demonstrated cost-effective measures like reflective roofing and energy-efficient lighting, which reduced utility costs by 30% in Accra and Tamale housing projects. John Sheriff Bawah of the State Housing Company challenged vague affordability metrics, calling for realistic benchmarks in a market where prices often exclude low-income earners.
A highlight was Joel Jojo Osam Mensah’s award-winning “Nɔte Dan” (Earth House) design, featuring rammed earth walls and passive cooling to halve energy and water use. His immediate job offer from Bawah underscored the summit’s focus on actionable innovation.
International support was highlighted by IFC’s Yewande Giwa, who acknowledged British and Swiss backing for green financing, while British High Commission’s Richard Sandall framed sustainability as “non-negotiable,” urging systemic policy and commercial reforms. Legal expert Vera Owusu-Osei praised the alignment of innovation and regulation, noting, “Progress thrives when sectors unite.”
The summit closed with a coalition pledge to accelerate sustainable urban development, reinforcing that affordability and environmental resilience are immediate priorities, not distant ideals.
While the summit showcased ambition, Ghana’s path to green urbanization faces hurdles: balancing cost with quality, curbing reliance on imported materials, and ensuring policies translate to grassroots impact. The focus on local solutions, like Mensah’s earth-based design, offers promise, yet sustained investment and enforcement remain critical. As Accra’s skyline expands, the challenge lies in ensuring growth aligns with ecological and social equity a test of Ghana’s commitment to a sustainable “now.”
