Encumbrances of integrating sustainability concepts and practices in rural community buildings: empirical evidence from Ghana

Purpose Sustainability is a critical consideration in the construction industry, but its implementation faces numerous hurdles. This research paper explores the challenges associated with implementing sustainability practices in rural community buildings in the context of Ghana. It aims to identify and understand the obstacles that hinder the integration of sustainable practices and enrich the knowledge base in sustainable development. Design/methodology/approach An extensive literature review was conducted to identify the challenges of integrating sustainability concepts and practices in rural community buildings. The study employs a quantitative approach with a sample size of 63 construction professionals in Ghana. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and one-sample t-tests to assess the significance of challenges. Findings The findings indicate specific challenges construction professionals face in integrating sustainability concepts in rural community buildings. Twenty-one challenges were considered significant by professionals, including limited technology access, inadequate stakeholder collaboration, low community interest, innovation deficiencies, data acquisition complexities, high initial capital requirements and limited availability of sustainable materials. Practical implications This research has both theoretical and practical implications. Theoretical implications stress the importance of considering the social aspects of sustainable development and stakeholder collaboration in the construction industry. Practical implications provide insights for practitioners and policymakers to address these challenges and promote sustainable development in rural communities. Originality/value This study contributes to the understanding of challenges related to sustainability in rural community buildings, emphasising the importance of holistic approaches and stakeholder involvement. The research adds original insights to the existing knowledge in sustainable development.