An evaluation of the sustainable practices in government construction projects in Ghana

The construction industry in Ghana has the potential to contribute more towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) as per the requirements of Agenda 2030. This study evaluates sustainable practices in government construction projects in Ghana towards developing an improvement framework for the construction industry. The study used a descriptive quantitative method and engaged 104 industry practitioners across ten (10) regions in Ghana. The results showed that 83.7% of practitioners had "moderate" to "extreme" awareness of the UNSDGs, Targets, and Indicators in government construction projects in Ghana across the project life cycle. Only 16.3% of practitioners reported having low awareness of the same. Concerning the influence of UNSDGs, Targets and Indicators, 67.4% of practitioners indicated they had been "moderately" to "extremely" influenced. However, 32.6% of practitioners reported being "slightly influenced" or having "no influence at all". This study also identified highly and least-ranked social, economic, and environmental factors that promote sustainable practices in government construction projects in Ghana concerning UNSDGs 8, 9, 11, 12, and 19. The practical implications of this study includes increasing awareness of UNSDGs among stakeholders and implementing highly ranked environmental, social, and economic factors to promote sustainable practices in government construction projects in Ghana.