A framework to improve sustainable practices in government construction projects in Ghana: an exploratory study interviewing industry experts

Abstract

This study seeks to develop a framework that improves sustainable practices in government construction projects in Ghana, specifically housing or building projects when the nation is required to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), targets, and indicators. This study used semi-structured and open-ended exploratory interviews as qualitative methods to discover and obtain understanding of the subject matter by engaging six (6) industry experts. This study assisted in probing answers provided by the experts. Although the main study addresses seven research objectives, this exploratory study focused on the first three objectives and therefore addressed the first three research questions of the main study accordingly. Ghana government has made efforts to increase awareness of sustainable development goals (SDGs) amongst stakeholders, but there is room for improvement. This study identified six environmental, eleven social, and six economic factors that can promote sustainable practices in government construction projects in Ghana concerning UNSDGs 8, 9, 19, 11 and 12. The government of Ghana also has to do more to utilise a database system required by the United Nations to provide details on achievements attained on the UNSDGs 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 targets in different sectors, including the construction sector. This study engaged six industry experts, making generalisation of findings not possible. Many more diverse stakeholders are required to ensure this study is more representative across the country. The practical implications for this study are to increase SDGs awareness amongst stakeholders, utilise some provided environmental, social, and economic factors to promote sustainable practices, and improve the usage of database system in government construction projects in Ghana.