It is thought that there is a low level of awareness of key competencies that drive material waste reduction at the construction stage of a project which has led to the low impact of waste minimization in the construction industry. This study, therefore, explores the key competencies for driving waste minimization at the construction stage of projects. Twenty-four (24) key factors that drive CW minimization at the construction stage of projects were derived from a thorough review of existing literature. The research adopted the quantitative approach whereby a questionnaire survey involving 53 construction professionals was conducted. Factor analysis was the statistical tool employed for the analysis of the data gathered. The findings of the study revealed four major competencies that drive CW minimization: Awareness Competency (AC), Managerial Competency (MC), Personnel Ability Competency (PAC), and Communication Competency (CC). The implementation of the key competencies from the findings of the study is highly recommended for the achievement of low waste in building projects. In view of this, it is recommended that government should enact legislative and fiscal measures to instill waste management habits in the construction industry. Several studies have investigated strategies or measures for CW minimization. However, this study focused on the knowledge and skills of construction stakeholders as the main component of waste minimization competencies.

Purpose: The design for deconstruction (DfD) technique, a contemporaneous solution to demolition by optimizing disassembly activities to enable reuse, has recently emerged with several promises to promote the circular economy. However, little attention has been given to its implementation among design professionals, especially in the Global South. Therefore, this study aims to explore the drivers for DfD implementation among design professionals in the Ghanaian construction industry (GCI).Design/methodology/approach: The study adopted a mixed research approach (explanatory sequential design) with an initial quantitative instrument phase, followed by a qualitative data collection phase. Data from the survey were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, one-sample t-Test, and normalization value (NV) test after a review of pertinent literature. These data were then validated through semistructured interviews with ten design professionals with in-depth knowledge of DfD.Findings: The findings revealed that although all ten drivers are important, the eight key drivers for the DfD implementation were identified as, in order of importance, “Availability of computer software applications regarding DfD,” “Inclusion of DfD in the formal education of design professionals,” “Increasing public awareness of the concept of DfD,” “Organizing workshops/seminars for design professionals on the concept of DfD,” “Availability of DfD training,” “Regulation regarding DfD,” “Industry guidance regarding DfD” and “Establishing a market for salvaged construction components.”Originality/value: This study's findings provide insights into an under-investigated topic in Ghana and offer new and additional information and insights into the current state-of-the-art on the factors that drive DfD implementation.

Purpose: Circular economy (CE) is guided by principles, the key being the R-framework. All R-frameworks have a hierarchy. Although several studies have prioritized these principles, there is still an urgent call for country-specific prioritization. This study prioritized circular economy (CE) principles among Ghana's built environment (BE) professionals.Design/methodology/approach: An explanatory sequential mixed methods approach was adopted. Six principles of CE were identified through a review of related literature and incorporated into a questionnaire. In total, 162 questionnaire responses were received. The quantitative data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential analyses. The data were further validated via semi-structured interviews with eight interviewees of different professional backgrounds in the BE.Findings: The findings revealed that BE professionals in Ghana highly perceived CE principles as important. The findings further revealed the order of prioritization of the CE principles as follows: (1) recycle, (2) reuse, (3) repair/remanufacture, (4) renewable energy usage, (5) redesign and (6) reduce. To further elaborate on these prioritized principles via the qualitative phase, the interviewees agreed to and confirmed the importance of the identified principles through their verbatim comments.Originality/value: Although there is a growing interest in research regarding CE in the Ghanaian construction industry, its principles have yet to be prioritized and ranked by professionals in the Ghanaian construction industry. This study unearths why, in terms of prioritization of the CE principles, the construction industry in Ghana does not follow the well-known hierarchy (i.e. reduce, reuse and recycle) in the order of high to low level of circularity.

Despite the growing responsiveness in creating eco-friendly cities with reference to SDG 11, little attention has been focused on the role of Ghanaian local authorities (i.e., District Assemblies (DAs)) in achieving this global feat. Therefore, this study seeks to assess the views of personnel working with Ghana’s District Assemblies on the achievement of healthy city development (HCD) through the lens of SDG 11. Data were obtained from 165 key personnel currently working with the District Assemblies in Ghana through structured close-ended questionnaires. The data gathered from the respondents were analyzed via descriptive and inferential statistics. Results from this study revealed that personnel working in the DAs of Ghana possess an average level of awareness of the SDG 11 indicators. Furthermore, the findings revealed a low level of achievement of development toward attaining healthy cities in Ghana. Subsequently, the findings also revealed four (4) critical challenges encountered in achieving HCD with the topmost being the ‘lack of financial resources for implementing healthy city policies’. The findings from this study pioneer knowledge on the scarce literature sources on the topic within the Ghanaian context. It also provides insight into the current level of achievement of SDG 11 targets in Ghana.

Purpose: The increasing concern for waste reduction in the global construction industry has led to diverse sustainable approaches emerging globally in the past decade. Material passport (MP), a growing approach, has been seen to be very promising. This study examines the implementation of materials passports in the Ghanaian construction industry. Design/methodology/approach: The study adopted the quantitative research method. Having reviewed literature related to this study, questionnaires served as a means of soliciting the views of 77 professionals in the built environment in the Ghanaian construction industry on the theme under investigation. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were used to analyze the data retrieved. Findings: Findings from the study revealed that Ghanaian construction professionals possessed a low level of awareness of the concept of MPs. However, they showed a massive willingness to adopt MPs in their professional practice. The findings further revealed that the professionals believed challenges such as the lack of knowledge, complexities of MP in terms of its preparation, and lack of quality assurance for recovered products hinder the adoption of MPs. The findings also revealed that strategies such as adequate training and education, policies and regulations, and adequate stakeholder engagement could aid in the implementation of MPs in the Ghanaian construction industry. Originality/value: For the concept of MPs to gain a firm foundation globally, its perception and implementation must be explored thoroughly. This empirical study, being the first to investigate MP implementation in Ghana, has provided insights into the topic from the perspective of professionals operating in the Ghanaian construction industry. The paper reveals information on the practice of MPs from the context of a typical developing country.

Purpose: As construction project designs grow in complexity, the challenges associated with project monitoring also escalate. Therefore, it is recommended that cutting-edge technologies like unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) be incorporated to alleviate some of the issues encountered during the execution of construction projects. This paper examines the utilisation and barriers of UAV applications for health and safety (H&S) management in the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach: Adopting a quantitative method for the study, data were collected from 408 construction professionals in the Ghanaian construction industry (GCI) with a questionnaire using the convenience and snowball sampling techniques. The collected data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings: The study reveals a low level of UAV adoption in the GCI, with most firms not using UAVs for H&S management. Key barriers identified include technical challenges, high costs, lack of training, limited government support and resistance to new technologies. Despite the recognised potential of UAVs in improving construction safety, their adoption remains limited due to these obstacles. Conclusively, this study recommends measures that would propel the espousal of UAVs for H&S management in the construction industry. Originality/value: The results of this research shed light on a relatively unexplored area within the construction sector, particularly in a developing country like Ghana. By providing empirical evidence and insights, the study contributes to the broader understanding of how innovative technologies can be leveraged for H&S management in emerging economies.