Maintenance Culture of Public Buildings in the Central Region of Ghana

The public buildings experience poor maintenance, and this is sometimes attributed to neglect and lack of funds, and this results in a decline, user dissatisfaction, and a cycle of neglect again. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the maintenance practices of some selected public buildings in the Central Region of Ghana. A mix of stratified and random sampling techniques was used to select 80 (maintenance personnel and users) respondents from the Development Offices of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) and Cape Coast Technical University (CCTU) in Ghana. The questionnaires were administered online, and quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 and Microsoft Excel with descriptive statistics and correlations. The study results revealed that maintenance-related cultural factors were appreciated most as compared to other factors like teamwork and collaboration. Increased community participation may also be brought about through campaigns and partnerships. New technologies for building health monitoring were considered as appropriate investments, while funds for training the maintenance personnel were deemed necessary. The study reveals gaps in bureaucracy, planning, and roles and responsibilities in Ghana's maintenance culture. It calls for a comprehensive strategy to improve this culture, including funding, reducing red tape, embracing technology, and promoting public awareness and staff development. Clear roles and responsibilities, along with performance indicators, are also crucial. The study, targeting the Central Region, helps understand regional disparities in challenges and opportunities. It uses a mixed-methods approach and considers individual and organizational levels to understand maintenance activities in a developing environment. Although the sample size may limit generalization, the study provides valuable information for policymakers and facility managers aiming to prolong the lifespan and minimize maintenance costs of public buildings in Ghana.