...As Ahmed Ibrahim Warns Housing Deficit May Have Doubled Since 2020
The Government of Ghana, in partnership with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN-Habitat, has officially launched the Transforming Ghana's Built Environment Through Sustainable Materials – Demonstration Project and Validation Workshop for its feasibility study report and compendium of low-carbon local building materials.
The launch, held in Accra, brought together the Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, UN Resident Officials, country directors of UNOPS, UNEP and UN-Habitat, representatives of built environment professional bodies, academia, heads of departments and agencies, and the media.
In his keynote address, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim extended Government's sincere appreciation to development partners, describing their collaboration as instrumental in advancing sustainable development within the built environment.
The Minister recalled that the initial launch was scheduled for 29th June, 2026, but could not be realized due to severe flooding that affected large parts of Ghana and neighbouring countries including Cote d'Ivoire, Togo, Nigeria, as well as global incidents in China and Nepal.
He said government deeply regrets the loss of over 39 lives in Ghana on that day, noting that he was then serving as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and vividly remembers the enormous challenges placed on local authorities.
"While we pray against such calamities, this incident serves as a reminder of the very challenges this project seeks to address... Any project that seeks to address that calamity must be embraced by everybody, but the next victim is not yet chosen. It may be you, it may be me," Hon. Ibrahim warned.
He stressed that Africa remains extremely vulnerable to climate change, underscoring the urgency to create resilient infrastructure.
Housing Deficit
On housing, the Minister said Ghana faces an estimated deficit of 1.83 million housing units as of the 2020 Population and Housing Census, but cautioned the figure may have doubled due to population growth and lack of aggressive intervention since 2020.
"The 1.83 million housing unit deficit in 2020 is what we keep putting, and that will be validated in 2030. This census pointed to the fact that about 1.3 million Ghanaians are sleeping in containers. We need an aggressive approach in the housing sector," he said.
Hon. Ibrahim lamented that the construction sector, while a major contributor to economic growth, has increased dependence on imported energy-intensive materials and even imported labour, from tiles to sanitary ware, which has driven housing costs high.
"This dependence has resulted in higher cost, increased carbon emissions, and worsening vulnerability to climate shocks... We cannot continue to use the same approach of yesterday to achieve the results that we need tomorrow," he stated.
He noted that Ghana is blessed with all the raw materials needed for construction, including limestone, salt, timber, steel, sand and clay, adding that "necessity is the mother of invention."
Roadmap to Decarbonise by 2050
The Minister said the Ministry, in partnership with UNOPS, UNEP and UN-Habitat, launched a Roadmap to Decarbonise Ghana's Building and Construction Sector by 2050 in 2024, which provides a clear framework for reducing emissions, promoting sustainable materials and fostering inclusive communities.
"Today's event represents a critical step in operationalizing this framework. It was launched in 2024. Thank God, you've not allowed it to be on the shelves. We are launching it and we are operationalizing it," he said.
He explained that the demonstration project serves as a practical test for implementing the roadmap through the District Housing Programme, showcasing scalable, locally appropriate solutions capable of delivering affordable housing while reducing carbon footprint by increasing use of locally produced sustainable materials.
"Lower construction costs will bring down rent costs, stimulate local industries, create green jobs, and retain investment within our communities. The best way to fight youth unemployment is to tackle the housing deficit," Hon. Ibrahim said, noting that many Ghanaian youth travel abroad for masonry, carpentry and other construction jobs.
He called on traditional authorities, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to support sustainable land management and orderly spatial development, saying Ghana will become beautiful and attract tourism and foreign exchange when spatial planning, low-carbon emission, local materials and local professionals are brought on board.
"We are using one stone to kill many birds, not just two birds," he said, urging stakeholders to embrace innovative low-carbon technologies.
On behalf of President John Mahama, who he referred to as "John the Builder," Hon. Ibrahim officially declared the project launched.
UNOPS: Three Prototypes Awarded EDGE Certification
Head of Office, UNOPS Ghana Country Office and Infrastructure Specialist, Ms. Linda Agbesi, said the project reflects Ghana's commitment to addressing both housing needs and climate challenges.
"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 developed to support the Ministry's implementation of the District Housing Programme in line with Legislative Instrument 2411.
The study 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.
