This article begs the question: Does culture merge tradition with modernism or translate tradition into modernism?

The idea of home or housing is different for every society or tradition. Understanding the interconnection between cultural influences and Ghana’s housing and construction industry helps provide housing solutions.

Edward Hall educates that different cultures will have different experiences upon viewing and inhabiting the same environment (Hall, 1996).

The classic definition of culture: is a way of life, a life of family structure, social networks, and activity systems.

Housing designs denote or speak to one’s notion of home, which invariably depends on culture. Cultural elements and influences significantly shape the development of housing and construction in Ghana.

Housing-related issues including resident satisfaction, multi-habitation, density, and overcrowding, vary due to cultural differences. However, developers or the government in general, can use cultural diversity or influence to improve housing design and quality, bolstering affordable housing sustainability in Ghana.

Ndoum, (2018), argues that the development of the housing typology in Ghana has shifted from the traditional dwellings of the various ethnic groups to single-family homes and townhouses in gated communities to multi-storey apartment complexes (with luxury finishes and amenities catering to the expanding middle-class). This shift is accompanied by a Western cultural influence, showing an apparent positive effect or growth of Ghana’s housing and construction industry.

Housing reflects identity, hence the people’s identities and cultural customs in Ghana are profoundly intertwined. Focusing on the Akan residents in Ghana, for example, it is evident that that culture influenced their qualities of space, materials, and sustainability principles, translating into innovative housing designs and growth over the years. As of 2021, Akan was the largest ethnic group in Ghana, accounting for 45.7 percent of the country’s population, (Doris, 2023).

This article’s core is the conversation around using cultural diversities and influences to provide solutions to advancing housing designs and sustainability in Ghana’s affordable housing and construction industry.

Ultimately, to answer the opening question as to if culture merges tradition with modernization or translates it into modernism and arguing on behalf of the readers sharing the same thought as the writer, it will be advisable and generally ethical to merge the two notions. We do not have to do away totally with tradition, essentially because, our culture is our identity.

In contrast, however, the construction of modern luxury high-rise and middle-income apartment dwellings in Ghana is in the form of Western ideals of dwelling, often without reference to traditional practices and ways of living (Nduom, 2018). Salm & Falola, (2002), agree with the writer’s submission that “Privately, the everyday citizen maintains this cultural identity through the practice of traditional festivals and ceremonies, while publicly the government and the private sector are conscious about supporting artistic expression that coexists with the local cultural ideals.” 

At Housing in Ghana magazine, we’re committed to providing you with the knowledge and resources you need to succeed in Ghana’s real estate market. Stay tuned for more expert insights, tips, and advice to help you navigate your real estate journey with confidence.

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