The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has marked the successful conclusion of its Designing for Greater Efficiency (DfGE) programme in Ghana, a project that has positioned the country as a regional leader in sustainable construction. Funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and launched in 2022, the initiative has achieved significant milestones in promoting green building practices nationwide.
Key achievements of the DfGE programme include:
- Expansion of Certified Space: Ghana now boasts over one million square meters of IFC EDGE-certified buildings, spanning hospitals, warehouses, residential complexes, and other facilities, a substantial increase from just two certified buildings in 2017.
- Professional Training: More than 250 professionals and students in architecture, engineering, and construction were trained in sustainable building design principles, surpassing initial expectations.
- Curriculum Integration: 30 local trainers were certified across five universities and professional institutes, ensuring sustainable building knowledge becomes a permanent part of academic curricula.
- Policy Alignment: The programme influenced national housing and construction policies, with the Ministry of Works and Housing reaffirming its commitment to embedding sustainability in future projects.
The DfGE initiative employed IFC’s EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) certification system, a measurable framework that encourages developers to reduce energy, water, and embodied carbon in materials by at least 20%.
Through this programme, Ghana has created a robust ecosystem of trained professionals, stimulated private sector adoption of green building practices, and established a blueprint for other nations in West Africa seeking to advance climate-resilient construction.
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