Examining change and permanence in traditional earthen construction in Ghana: a case study of Tamale and Wa

The architectural style found in Wa and Tamale is renowned for its distinctive use of earthen construction, which features square buildings with flat roofs and circular compounds with conical thatch roofs. Recently, there has been a growing inclination towards the use of alternative construction techniques in which nontraditional materials such as cement, bitumen, and used car engine oil are utilised to render wall surfaces. These structures show how the materials and design in northern Ghana have substantially evolved. However, what forces drive the changes in cob construction in this region? Furthermore, how might these changes impact the preservation of cultural heritage in Ghana? To explore the factors that contribute to the departure from traditional earthen building methods that rely on local materials, this study employs a constructivist research approach. Participants in a survey that informed this study revealed that they struggled to access building materials to construct their houses. While most of the people who responded to the survey have resided in buildings constructed with a mixture of beini and dawadawa, they hesitate to use plant-based biostabilisers in new constructions. Factors that hinder the ongoing construction and preservation of earthen buildings include shifting cultural and social norms, environmental changes, difficulties accessing local building resources, flood risks, regular maintenance requirements, and societal influences. Thus, this study concludes that if communities are empowered to take ownership and recognise the value of their cultural heritage, they are likely to be increasingly aware and appreciative of their architectural heritage. Thus, their local heritage will be preserved.