As Ghana’s skyline continues to evolve with striking infrastructure projects from multi-lane highways to high-rise buildings, a new book titled “Building for the Future: Positioning Ghana’s Construction Industry for Sustainable Growth” is sounding a timely call for reform, collaboration, and sustainability in the country’s construction sector.
The new book, edited by Emeritus Professor George Ofori and Dr. Joseph K. Ofori-Kuragu, brings together a wide spectrum of Ghanaian voices, including academics, practitioners, government officials, and consultants, to confront long-standing structural and operational challenges plaguing the industry.
In his review of the book, West African Regional Director of CUTS International, Adomako Kusi Appiah, observed that though the sector has shown impressive progress over the past decade, the authors argue that without addressing deep-rooted inefficiencies, the industry risks falling short of its transformative potential.
Lawyer Adomako Kusi Appiah further indicates that among the recurring issues in the sector highlighted in the book are limited and unpredictable financing, delayed contractor payments, political interference in contract awards, and systemic corruption.
These challenges not only stifle productivity but have led to a pattern of stalled infrastructure projects, collapsing buildings, poor drainage, and worsening housing deficits. Skill shortages and weak capacity among local firms also continue to erode the sector’s competitiveness and ability to deliver quality results.
For the Consumer Protection Advocate, he is impressed as the book emphasizes that Ghana’s construction industry must pivot towards a more inclusive, sustainable, and professionally managed future.
A central solution proposed is to position Ghanaian contractors at the heart of sectoral growth through access to targeted training, easier financing, and expanded involvement in public infrastructure development.
“Building for the Future,” he says, goes beyond diagnosing problems; it charts a pragmatic, solutions-oriented course. From rethinking social housing and integrating green technologies to addressing regulatory bottlenecks and improving data governance, the book captures the multidimensional nature of the construction ecosystem.
He adds that a standout element of the book is its Ghanaian authorship. Every chapter is penned by experts rooted in the Ghanaian context but drawing on international exposure and insight. This makes the work both locally grounded and globally informed, a critical balance needed to drive practical change.
“More than just identifying problems, the book offers a clear vision of what is possible. It serves as a valuable resource for educators, policymakers, practitioners, and entrepreneurs seeking to innovate in the construction space. By blending global best practices with local realities, it bridges the gap between theory and practical application,” he indicated in his review.
“A recurring theme is the need for collaboration between government, industry, and academia. Such partnerships are crucial for meaningful reforms and long-term growth. The book urges stakeholders to work together to build a construction sector that can drive Ghana’s socio-economic transformation. Building for the Future is not just a collection of essays. It is a call to action. It challenges all players in the sector to commit to a future built on sustainability, fairness, and resilience,” he indicated.
Published by University Press, Kumasi, “Building for the Future” will be officially launched on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the British Council Auditorium in Accra. The launch event is expected to attract a broad range of stakeholders in Ghana’s construction landscape, including policymakers, engineers, architects, and real estate developers.
As urbanization accelerates and Ghana pushes forward with infrastructure modernization, the insights from this groundbreaking work could not be more timely. It invites all stakeholders to rethink, rebuild, and recommit to a construction industry that truly serves the future of the nation.
