Assessment of Environmental Sustainability Compliance (ESC) and Awareness in Works Procurement Leading Universities in Ghana

Purpose: The study explored the level of compliance and integration of environmental sustainability (ES) considerations into the pre-contract stage of public works procurement in leading universities in Ghana and the extent to which awareness is spreading for the advancement of ES. Design/Methodology/Approach: A qualitative method was adopted for data collection and analysis. Content analyses were carried out on public tender documents from leading Universities in Ghana, and the results were analysed and conclusions drawn. Research Limitation: The study was limited to Ghana's first three leading Universities. It would have been more informative if it had covered all government institutions, including local institutions, across Ghana's sixteen (16) regions. Findings: The findings suggest the overall level of ES compliance and integration into the evaluation process is currently low at 41%. However, the awareness of ES considerations in public works procurement is above average at 66%. Practical implication: The study results inform policymakers, procurement practitioners, and other stakeholders of the low level of ESC and the average level of awareness during the tendering process of works procurement. This can serve as a basis for recommending effective ways of addressing challenges and thus ensuring meaningful compliance with ES, which will help achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs). Social Implication: This insight can guide developing or adjusting regulations and incentives to promote more effective environmental practices. Originality/Value: Despite the legislative amendments locally and the global focus on sustainability, research suggests that the integration of environmental sustainability into public works procurement practices remains limited. This is expected to set the pace for further research on addressing these challenges.