The Ghana Real Estate Development Association (GREDA) has launched an innovative Green Building Certification (GBC) system on the 23rd of december, 2023 that aimed at transforming Ghana’s construction sector by promoting sustainability, green technology, and reducing environmental impact. This initiative is designed to ensure that buildings are assessed and certified based on their environmental efficiency and sustainability features. The assessment process is supported by a cutting-edge software app that works on any device and operating system, allowing assessors to collect data in the form of text, images, and videos, which are then securely stored on a cloud platform. The data can be accessed at any time via mobile phones, tablets, and PCs with internet access. A successful pilot test of the GREDA GBC software was conducted on some lakeside buildings on the 23rd December 2023, demonstrating the system’s readiness for full-scale implementation.
As part of the rollout, GREDA recently organized a one-day intensive training program in Accra for 30 professionals in the built environment 28th January, 2025 at the silver star tower conference room. The training was conducted under the GREDA GBC system to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to assess and certify green buildings. These trained professionals, who serve as independent assessors for GREDA, will play a crucial role in evaluating buildings’ sustainability across Ghana. The GREDA GBC system was developed based on 30 years of experience in real estate and 10 years of expertise in green living. It applies to residential buildings, including single dwellings, townhouses, and duplex homes.
The certification follows a star-rating approach, where buildings can be classified from two to five stars based on their green features.
The certification tool is structured around seven key criteria:
Site and Transport: Ensuring sustainable site selection and transportation practices.
Water Efficiency: Promoting efficient water use and management.
Energy Efficiency and Carbon Emission Management: Encouraging energy-efficient practices and reducing carbon emissions.
Indoor Environmental Quality: Ensuring a healthy and comfortable indoor environment.
Materials and Resources: Promoting sustainable material selection and resource management.
Waste and Pollution: Minimizing waste and pollution during construction and operation.
Innovative Technologies: Encouraging the adoption of innovative green technologies.
These criteria have been developed based on globally recognized rating tools to ensure their relevance and effectiveness in the Ghanaian context. This ICT-driven certification process reflects a strong commitment of the organisation to a greener future in Ghanaian environment.
Speaking on the training initiative, GREDA Council Member and project director Salah Kwaku Kalmoni highlighted the importance of training professionals to assess and certify green buildings effectively. “So, this is a professional as sessment course to teach the assessors how to collect data on residential units, and then later on, it will be put in our cloud-based computing software. The assessors will give you a mark, and then they can even advise you on what else you need to do to improve your status,” he said.
Also, GREDA’s Executive Secretary, Samuel Amegayibor, reinforced the urgency of adopting green practices in the built environment, given the increasing pollution and environmental challenges. He noted that while existing green certification systems are available, they are often foreign and expensive, making them less accessible to the Ghanaian market. To address this, GREDA developed a localized certification system tailored to the country’s specific needs, making it more affordable and encouraging wider adoption of green building principles.
