A portrait of the state of vernacular architecture in Ghana: a critical review of conceptual debates and future directions

This study presents a critical analytical review of the state of vernacular architecture in Ghana, employing a structured literature review methodology to examine how it has been defined, interpreted, and positioned within academic and policy discourse. Drawing on sources, the study identifies significant conceptual, material, and institutional challenges shaping the understanding and preservation of vernacular architecture in the Ghanaian context. The findings reveal accelerating processes of transformation and modernisation contributing to the erosion of indigenous building traditions and associated cultural meanings. Documentation efforts remain fragmented and insufficient, limiting the development of evidence-based conservation strategies and the integration of vernacular knowledge into planning systems. The review further demonstrates that existing policy and regulatory frameworks operate in a disjointed manner, often treating vernacular architecture as peripheral rather than contemporary development. Importantly, the study identifies a persistent gap in scholarly literature, characterised by definitional ambiguity and the absence of a coherent conceptual framework. In response, the paper develops a conceptual framework that integrates material systems, environmental adaptation, socio-cultural values, typological expressions, and governance dimensions. The study contributes to ongoing debates by providing a clearer analytical foundation for research, documentation, policy integration, while highlighting the urgent need for coordinated strategies to safeguard Ghana’s architectural heritage.