Towards Improving Performance of the Construction Industry in Ghana: A SWOT Approach

Abstract

The construction industry is the second largest contributor to GDP and a significant driver of economic activities in Ghana. Given the importance of the construction industry in boosting the national economy, it is essential to develop effective strategies to keep improving the performance of the industry. To achieve this aim, this research conducted the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis of the Ghanaian construction industry. Underpinned by the SWOT analysis, strategic recommendations are provided to minimise the weaknesses and neutralise the threats that confront the industry, while taking advantage of the strengths and exploiting the opportunities presented to it. These include investment to facilitate innovation and growth, human resource development, development and enforcement of policy and standards, and conducive procurement practice. The recommendations are expected to provide practical and theoretical directions to the industry’s stakeholders on effective ways to improve the industry’s performance.

Characteristics of the Construction Industry in Developing Countries and Its Implications for Health and Safety: An Exploratory Study in Ghana

“…Again, the informal apprenticeship system is not well developed to train highly skilled workforce because sometimes the master craftsmen who do the training may themselves have limited skills. The need for the development of a skilled workforce for construction industries of developing countries has been acknowledged [3,79].…”

“…Similarly, the lack of training for these workers on H&S matters worsens the situation [69]. For that matter, Darko and Lowe [3] and Frimpong et al [79] have advocated for the provision of training programmes for construction artisans in Ghana in order to provide them with the necessary skills required for efficient and safety performance at the construction sites.…”

Awareness and practice of the principles of circular economy among built environment professionals

“…Suwal et al (2019) stated that the building industry made a global contribution of 6% towards the GDP, with developed and developing countries contributing more than 8% and about 5%, respectively. From 2010 to 2017, the Ghanaian building industry also made tremendous contributions to the growth of its economy (Frimpong et al , 2020). Despite the positive contributions made by the building industry, there are negative implications from its activities that affect the environment, society and economy.…”

Health and Safety Integration into the Procurement Stages of Public Construction Projects in Developing Countries: A Case of Ghana

“…Ghana is an ideal case for this study because it has the major features of the construction industry in developing countries (Boadu, Wang and Sunindijo, 2020). First, its partnership with developed economies and international organisations on investments in the delivery of public infrastructure is growing rapidly (Economic Corporate Network, 2015;Frimpong, Sunindijo and Wang, 2020). Second, as a middleincome country, Ghana exhibits the economic, political, and social characteristics associated with developing countries.…”