Ghana is promoting the use of locally available low-carbon construction materials to address its housing deficit and climate challenges.
Head of Office at UNOPS Ghana Country Office and Infrastructure Specialist, Ms. Linda Agbesi, said the project reflects Ghana’s commitment to tackling both housing needs and climate change.
“Ghana faces a housing deficit of more than 1.8 million units, while the buildings and construction sector remains a major contributor to greenhouse gas emission. Transforming the built environment through sustainable materials project responds directly to that challenge by promoting the use of locally available low-carbon construction materials,” she said.
She disclosed that the project is delivering several key outputs, including a compendium of locally available low-carbon construction materials and a techno-economic feasibility study for low-carbon model houses.
The study, developed to support the Ministry’s implementation of the District Housing Programme in line with Legislative Instrument 2411, assesses technical and financial viability, regulatory compliance and scalability, providing a replicable model for public investment decisions.
Ms. Agbesi also announced that three housing prototype audits have been awarded EDGE certification, demonstrating alignment with internationally recognized standards for resource efficiency and environmental performance.
“These prototypes will serve as practical examples for how green building principles can be integrated into affordable housing delivery in Ghana,” she said.
She reaffirmed UNOPS commitment to sustainable, resilient and inclusive infrastructure solutions, noting the potential to reduce emissions, strengthen local industries, create green jobs and improve housing affordability.
UNEP: Choosing Low-Carbon Materials Essential
National Projects Coordinator and Country Advisor for UNEP, Mr. Thomas Kankam-Adjei, said UNEP promotes sustainability in the building and construction sector, emphasizing the role of the built environment in achieving the Paris Agreement, the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.
He said Ghana’s 1.8 million housing deficit presents both challenges and opportunities to avoid future embodied carbon, given that much of Africa’s future building stock is yet to be constructed.
“Buildings can last 100 years or more… Choosing low-carbon materials is essential to reducing emissions for generations to come,” he noted, adding that UNEP supports use of local materials including bio-based materials and local steel while promoting local value chains.
Mr. Kankam-Adjei said the engagement builds on the 2023 Climate Action Roadmap for Building and Construction, with UNEP providing technical guidance, policy support, pilot projects and capacity building.
He called on stakeholders to provide feedback to validate the feasibility report and compendium, which he described as living tools for the sector.
