Construction research key to affordable infrastructure in Ghana – Green Fortland Foundation

Ghana, like many developing countries, faces mounting pressure on infrastructure due to rapid urbanisation and population growth. The demand for accessible and cost-effective solutions in building schools, hospitals, housing, and sanitation facilities continues to outpace supply. Despite efforts from both government and private sectors, construction and maintenance costs remain prohibitively high.

According to the Green Fortland Foundation (GFF), one powerful yet underutilised tool to address this challenge is construction research. During a recent engagement with a group of academics at Accra Technical University, as part of preparations for GFF’s 7th anniversary, the Foundation stressed the importance of research in transforming Ghana’s construction landscape.

Mr. George Afful, lead field technician at GFF, explained that multiple factors contribute to Ghana’s rising construction costs. These include heavy dependence on imported materials, outdated construction methods, and limited integration of modern building technologies. He noted that traditional architectural techniques—well-suited to Ghana’s climate and culture—are often ignored in favour of foreign designs that may be ill-adapted and more expensive.

Mr. Pious Mensah, head of information technology at GFF, emphasized that the solution lies in a renewed national commitment to research. “We need to change the narrative,” he said, calling for greater investment in universities, local research institutions, and innovation hubs to develop sustainable, affordable, and locally tailored construction solutions.

He pointed out that Ghana possesses abundant resources such as laterite, bamboo, clay, and pozzolana cement—all of which can be refined for modern construction purposes. “We don’t need to keep importing. Our local materials can meet our needs,” Pious said. He added that research can also help develop climate-responsive designs that reduce reliance on artificial cooling, lowering energy costs over time.

Further, Pious highlighted the promise of modular construction and prefabrication, which can reduce waste, speed up building timelines, and cut costs. He stressed that academic research can inform policy decisions and urban planning, allowing for smarter use of land and more efficient infrastructure development.

“Research can also help us understand community needs and cultural practices, so that we design public facilities that are functional, durable, and easier to maintain,” he noted, referencing global examples like India and Rwanda. India’s Centre for Science and Environment has developed affordable housing using local materials and passive designs, while Rwanda’s Green Building Minimum Compliance System—founded on university-led research—has driven down costs and promoted resilient urban growth.

GFF Managing Director Ebenezer Yiwo echoed these sentiments, stressing the value of academia-private sector collaboration. He proposed that incentives should be offered to private firms that partner with academic institutions, especially in the exploration of new materials and the reuse of industrial waste products in construction.

Senior lecturer Roger Danladi, from the building department of Accra Technical University, welcomed GFF’s enthusiasm and called for practical collaboration between industry and academia. He referenced recent lab work using plastic waste and broken tiles as raw materials in building composites. “Let’s turn our theories into experiments,” he urged.

Lecturer Alex Kweku Adzinku added that a culture of innovation must be nurtured, one that embraces home-grown solutions over imported alternatives.

Concluding the session, Gabriel Amoah Sampson of GFF reflected on the broader vision. “By prioritising research, we can reshape Ghana’s construction industry. Our future infrastructure should be affordable, sustainable, and rooted in local knowledge. The real foundation isn’t just cement and steel—it’s our ability to learn, adapt, and innovate,” he said.