The first annual Green Building Research Conference has ended in Cape Coast with a call on stakeholders to pay attention to green building research.

The three-day conference organised by the School of Built Environment and Natural Resources at the Cape Coast Technical University, was on the theme: "The role of Built Environment Professionals in prioritizing net-zero buildings."

The conference provided the platform for capacity building and networking among built environment practitioners and researchers in Ghana and highlighted the importance of green building research.

It had presentations and research workshops on a wide range of topics on green building and zero energy building, including "Financial, policy, and regulatory standards of renewable energy in Ghana."

Professor Joshua Danso Owusu-Sekyere, Vice-Chancellor of CCTU, expressed optimism that the conference would prompt stakeholders to pay attention to green building research and lead to the provisions of research grants.

He underscored the relevance of research and noted that the World had witnessed profound technological breakthroughs as a result of advances in scientific research.

He said with effective utilisation of research outputs, Ghana could overcome many of its challenges.

Prof. Owusu-Sekyere said CCTU chose renewable energy technology as its niche area and that the university was re-positioning itself as a centre of excellence in training, research and innovation in renewable energy technologies.

"Cape Coat Technical university is well-resourced as the hub for renewable energy studies and researches. It could be a resource and knowledge link between players within the renewable energy domain," he said.

Dr Kwamena Minta Nyarku, Member of Parliament for Cape Coast North, commended CCTU for the conference and expressed hope it would achieve its vision as a centre of excellence in renewable energy.

He said the idea of green building technologies needed to be championed to influence the lives of the citizenry.

He said it would be good to explore alternative sustainable and renewable energy resources to augment the current energy generation mix since about 70 per cent of the energy supply was from thermal-based power plants whose fuel contributed greatly to climate change.

Mr Sampson Opare Agyemang, President of the International Facility Management, Ghana said building green was an opportunity to use resources efficiently in creating healthier buildings that improve human health, build a better environment and provide cost savings.

He said current global human activities were degrading resources faster than they could be replenished and reiterated the need to use resources ecologically and efficiently.

He said buildings accounted for one-sixth of the World's fresh water withdrawals, one quarter of its wood hub and two-fifths of its material and energy flow.

According to him, research had shown that buildings with good overall quality could reduce the rate of respiratory diseases, allergies, asthma and enhance workers performance.

Dr Joseph Esando-Yedu, the Immediate Past Director, Strategic Planning and Policy at the Energy Commission, called on the Government to adequately develop the infrastructure for natural gas usage, which had multiple benefits not only for energy but also for petro-chemicals.