The impact of energy-efficient architecture as a driver of economic innovation and fiscal resilience in Ghana

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate energy-efficient architectural design as a strategic instrument of economic policy and innovation, repositioning it to address Ghana’s energy crisis by driving economic innovation and fiscal resilience within the building sector. The survey of 120 registered architects in Ghana (quantitative survey) produced 72 valid responses (60.0% response rate). The methods applied included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression and principal component analysis. Factor analysis indicated that there were two main innovation themes Building Envelope/Orientation (64.4% of variance) and Site Condition decisions (9.2% more variance) with good scale reliability (Cronbachs 0.90). The multi-dimensional outcome construct was confirmed with energy performance items loading on one factor, which explained 80.5% of variance. Five predictors of energy performance were identified by regression, which accounted 81.7% of the variance of energy performance; with passive solar (β = 0.510), natural ventilation (β=0.373), site temperature (β=0.315), daylighting (β=0.284), and site shading (β= =0.175) for a standardised regression coefficient. The main barriers are economic and informational: absence of public knowledge (mean=3.20/4), and client budget (mean = 3.00/4), which are considered to be high barriers. Key conclusions showed that design innovations have the potential to save 25-50 per cent of energy loads in buildings and are also related to productivity of labour, 5-15 per cent. Scenario analysis projected that, with widespread implementation, annual economic benefits would reach 150-300 million dollars, comprising direct fiscal savings (25-50 million), productivity enhancement (15-30 million), green construction investment mobilised (100-200 million), and reduced fuel imports (10-20 million) offsetting 7-13 per cent of the yearly energy deficit