Headlines for African Home Building News 15/04/25
The Greens Ghana Achieves EDGE Certification, Pioneering Sustainable Living
Ghana Green Building Summit 2025 Advances Affordable, Sustainable Housing
UN Report: Global Housing Crisis Deepens as 1.8 Billion People Lack Adequate Shelter
The Greens Ghana has officially received the prestigious EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) certification from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. This certification places The Greens as one of the first fully EDGE-certified residential communities in Ghana and highlights its role as a leader in environmentally conscious real estate development across West Africa. EDGE is a globally recognized green building standard that measures resource efficiency in energy, water, and materials.
The certification acknowledges The Greens Ghana’s commitment to sustainable design, construction, and long-term value.The Greens Ghana integrates energy-efficient features such as 20% energy savings through passive solar architecture and energy-efficient appliances. Additionally, the project achieves 30–40% water savings with low-flow plumbing fixtures and drought-tolerant landscaping. The use of locally sourced, low-impact construction materials further reduces the carbon footprint.
As ESG investing and climate-conscious development become more important for global and diaspora investors, The Greens is meeting the rising demand for sustainable, finance-friendly housing. This certification also aligns with Ghana’s climate resilience goals and the global push for net-zero development practices. The Greens is well-positioned to continue its innovative approach as it expands and scales its model to address growing housing needs.
The 6th edition of the Ghana Green Building Summit took place in Accra, drawing over 300 stakeholders from government, development institutions, academia, the private sector, and civil society. The event focused on the critical role sustainable buildings play in shaping the future of Ghana. Held under the theme “Reimagining Buildings and Cities for Economic and Social Prosperity,” the Summit provided a platform for dialogue, innovation, and collaboration. The central message was clear: sustainable buildings are not just a luxury for the elite but must be made affordable for all.
Convened by Cyril Nii Ayitey Tetteh, the Summit highlighted that sustainability is about longevity, resilience, and inclusion. In his welcome address, Tetteh emphasized that embedding sustainability into business processes and adopting ESG frameworks is key for continuity in development. The Minister for Works, Housing, and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, affirmed the government’s commitment to integrating green building principles into national housing strategies.
Issifu Seidu, the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, presented Ghana’s broader climate response strategy, citing World Bank projections of climate-induced economic losses that could triple by 2050. He stressed the need to design cities with vision and purpose, ensuring they are sustainable, inclusive, and resilient.
Paul Kwesi Ocran, Green Buildings Lead at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), highlighted the importance of green buildings beyond iconic skyscrapers, sharing how low-tech design interventions, such as reflective roofing and efficient lighting, have resulted in significant energy and water savings in affordable housing projects in Accra and Tamale.
Vera Owusu-Osei, Partner and Co-Chair of the Green Transition Practice at AB & David Africa, framed the Summit as a model for how legal frameworks, investment strategies, and environmental priorities can work together. Richard Sandall, Development Director at the British High Commission, underscored the importance of systems thinking and leadership in advancing green building initiatives.
The Summit concluded with a unified coalition of partners committed to delivering affordable, inclusive, and sustainable cities, emphasizing the need for one green home at a time.
A new report by UN-Habitat has revealed that over 1.8 billion people worldwide currently live in inadequate housing, with the global housing crisis deepening due to rapid urbanization, conflict, climate change, and rising construction costs. The report, titled “Towards a Fairer Urban Future”, warns that without urgent action, this number could surpass two billion by 2030.
The report highlights a growing gap between housing demand and supply, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where over 70% of urban residents struggle to access affordable, safe, and sustainable homes. It calls for increased investment in climate-resilient housing, inclusive urban planning, and policies that prioritize the needs of vulnerable communities, including women, youth, and the elderly.
UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif urged governments to rethink housing as a human right rather than a commodity. “We must stop treating housing as an investment vehicle and start seeing it as a foundation for dignity, health, and equality,” she said.
The report recommends a shift toward public-private partnerships, land-use reforms, and the adoption of green building standards to address both the housing crisis and the climate emergency. It also highlights success stories from countries such as Vietnam, Colombia, and Kenya, where community-led housing models and innovative financing have improved housing access at scale.
Source : Joycelyn Marigold – African Home Building News
