The construction sector accounts for approximately 40% of global carbon emissions, positioning it as a critical player in the global transition toward sustainability.
As urbanization accelerates, particularly in developing economies like Ghana, the need for environmentally responsible construction practices has never been more urgent.
In response to this challenge, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), in collaboration with the Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS) and supported by Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), is driving a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening local capacity in sustainable building practices.
A key component of this effort is the IFC’s EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) Green Building Certification Programme, which equips professionals in the built environment with practical tools and knowledge to support low-carbon, resource-efficient construction.
The programme focuses on three essential sustainability metrics: reducing energy consumption, minimizing water usage, and lowering embodied carbon in construction materials. Through this approach, EDGE offers a scalable and cost-effective pathway to more environmentally responsible development.
This commitment was recently demonstrated at a Certificate Presentation Ceremony organized for over 30 members of the Valuation and Estate Surveying Division of the GhIS, who had completed intensive training under the EDGE programme. The event not only celebrated the accomplishments of the participants but also symbolized a broader shift in Ghana’s professional landscape—toward mainstreaming sustainability in both education and practice.
Speaking at the ceremony, IFC Senior Country Manager Kyle Kelhofer underscored the programme’s growing impact. He stated that over 200 students in Ghana have now completed the course and that more than 30 lecturers from five universities have been trained to incorporate EDGE principles into their teaching.
This dual strategy, targeting both professionals in the field and educators shaping the next generation, promises to create a multiplier effect, embedding sustainability into the core of Ghana’s built environment.
Local advocates of the programme have also voiced strong support for its continued growth. President of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors, Surv. Kofi Obeng-Ayirebi, emphasized the importance of widespread public engagement with green building principles.
He urged that sustainability not be confined to large-scale developments or experts alone, but extended to residential homes, commercial spaces, and small offices alike. “Everyone has a role to play,” he remarked, stressing that small, individual choices in building materials and practices collectively make a significant impact. He warned that failure to act now could result in future generations struggling to sustain the planet.
The programme has also drawn praise from the international development community. Magdalena Wuest, Deputy Head of Cooperation at SECO, highlighted the critical role of education in the sustainability movement.
She emphasized that by integrating sustainability concepts into academic curricula, educational institutions can empower students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to drive systemic transformation within the construction industry and beyond.
Looking toward the future, GhIS leadership expressed hopes that the programme would be expanded to include training in Carbon Valuation, an increasingly important tool for assessing and managing the environmental impact of construction projects. According to Surv. Emmanuel Kofi Cobbold, Senior Vice President of GhIS, equipping professionals with this skill will support more data-driven, climate-conscious decision-making across the sector.
The success of the EDGE training programme in Ghana offers a compelling example of how targeted capacity-building, institutional collaboration, and international support can converge to advance sustainable development.
With additional training sessions scheduled for the Ashanti, Central, and Western regions, momentum continues to build. The challenge now lies in translating this growing expertise into practical implementation, ensuring that sustainability is not only taught and certified, but actively practiced across every aspect of Ghana’s built environment.
