- IFMA Ghana emphasizes need for climate-responsive, energy-efficient building designs
- World FM Day 2025 celebrates facility managers' evolving roles in a changing climate
- Experts call for greater collaboration between architects and facility managers
The Ghana chapter of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) has highlighted the urgent need for climate-responsive building designs due to rising temperatures caused by global warming. The group stresses that leveraging natural elements in architectural design is critical to enhancing energy efficiency and ensuring long-term infrastructure performance.
As climate change increasingly impacts building maintenance and management, professionals in the built environment are being urged to prioritize resilience. According to IFMA Ghana, this approach is essential for maintaining the functionality of infrastructure, improving operational efficiency, and boosting business outcomes.
Facility managers are now more than ever tasked with ensuring the safe and efficient operation of buildings. Their role is pivotal in adapting to the evolving challenges posed by climate change, including structural deterioration and extreme temperature fluctuations.
These issues were at the forefront of discussions during the 2025 World FM Day held in Kumasi. The event brought together experts from the arts, built environment, and sustainability sectors under the theme: “Resilience in Action: Thriving in a World of Change.” The theme underscored the growing importance of facility management in navigating a rapidly changing climate.
Eric Paul Tudzi, Associate Professor at the KNUST College of Arts and Built Environment, emphasized the need for collaboration between facility managers and architects to integrate sustainable and energy-efficient designs. He noted that climate change is significantly altering indoor environments and affecting productivity, and called for design strategies that reduce energy costs while maintaining comfort.
“It’s vital that facility managers drive the use of eco-friendly building techniques that rely on natural ventilation and cooling. These changes are not only cost-effective but enhance productivity and quality of life by ensuring functionality and sustainability,” he said.
President of IFMA Ghana, Sampson Opare-Agyemang, called on the government to invest in training and capacity-building for facility managers. He stressed that despite their low visibility, facility managers are key to maintaining infrastructure resilience, continuity, and sustainability.
“Facility managers are quietly holding systems together amid climate disruptions, tighter budgets, and aging infrastructure. It’s time the government acknowledges their role and supports their professional development,” he stated.
Dr. Oti Amankwah, a Senior Lecturer at Kumasi Technical University, added that the responsibilities of facility managers extend well beyond basic operations. They are central to strategic planning, technological innovation, environmental health, and long-term development of facilities.
