IFC and Equilibrium Partners have announced the EDGE certification of The Genesis Residences, a multi-unit residential development, which also happens to be the former home of Theodosia Okoh who designed Ghana’s national flag.                             

Under IFC’s Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) green building standard, Equilibrium Partners, in collaboration with The Okoh Family, is redeveloping the late Theodosia Okoh’s residence into a more efficient, climate-friendly 30 unit residential building.

The Genesis Residences is located in the North Ridge neighbourhood of Accra and will be completed in September 2022. 

The units will use low-flow water fittings and naturally ventilated spaces that help the building reduce residents’ energy use by a quarter, and water use by a third.

In addition, the construction materials used require less than 50 per cent of the energy needed to manufacture, transport, and install – known as embodied energy – than those of other construction projects in the area.

“It is a privilege to have the opportunity to transform such a historic piece of real estate,” said Cyril Tay, Managing Partner of Equilibrium Partners.

“We prioritised quality and sustainability by building according to the EDGE standard and are proud to honour Mrs Theodosia Okoh and the entire Okoh Family with red, gold, black, and green.”

IFC’s EDGE program was launched in 2014 to support the construction of green buildings and help fight climate change.

The program is active in 170 countries. The Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund has recently signed a partnership with IFC to make EDGE the standard for green building in Ghana.

“It’s encouraging to see more developers in Ghana choose IFC’s EDGE certification,” said Kyle Kelhofer, IFC’s Senior Country Manager for the Ghana cluster of countries.

“High-profile projects such as The Genesis Residences will serve as inspiration to drive the adoption of green building techniques.”

In Ghana, EDGE has certified 14 prominent buildings since 2017 in the health, hospitality, retail, and financial sectors, and is encouraging developers to adopt green building techniques.

The Genesis Residences is the first high-end residential building in Accra to be EDGE certified.