Ghana’s Construction Sector Charts green path

Ghana’s construction sector has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability and climate resilience at the 2025 REACO Conference, which brought together industry leaders, developers, policymakers, and environmental experts under the theme “Resilient Infrastructure: Pragmatic Solutions for a Changing World.”

Held in Accra, the conference spotlighted pressing concerns about the construction sector’s impact on the environment, while showcasing emerging solutions aimed at reversing degradation and safeguarding communities.

In a compelling keynote, Dr. James Lindsay, President of the Ghana Real Estate Development Association (GREDA) and Chancellor of Cape Coast Technical University, emphasized the urgent need to curb deforestation driven by the construction sector’s demand for timber. He warned that environmental neglect is already affecting livelihoods and communities.
“Our forests are under pressure. As industry leaders, we must commit to protecting the environment—not just for today, but for generations to come,” Dr. Lindsay stated.

As part of that pledge, he announced that JL Holdings is leading a nationwide tree-planting initiative that aims to establish 500,000 new trees in Akroso, a step he said is essential for restoring degraded forest reserves and encouraging biodiversity.

Health and safety also took center stage at the conference. Bigobiri Seidu Abdul-Latif, a consultant in the field, decried the lack of safety compliance on many construction sites and called for mandatory medical screenings for all workers, both at the point of hiring and upon exit.

“Neglecting safety protocols is a silent killer in this industry. We can’t continue to turn a blind eye,” he stressed.
On the materials front, REACO International’s Executive Director, Ebenezer Duncan, challenged contractors to consider climate threats such as flooding and storms when selecting building resources. He made a strong case for locally sourced, resilient materials like bamboo, cane, grass, and palm, which offer sustainable alternatives to imported, high-emission construction products.

Source : Joycelyn Marigold - Property Express Magazine