This paper investigated construction materials-batching behaviour of artisans in the informal construction sector in Ghana. The research was conducted in three major towns across three regions namely the Volta, Greater Accra and Eastern regions of Ghana. A quantitative data collection approach was adopted as the primary methodology for gathering the data from the target population using cluster-sampling technique to select the sample population. The results showed that the informal construction sector in Ghana paid little attention to the standard practices and procedures in constructing residential buildings. This is due to inadequate levels of apprenticeship training to develop the skills and competence of artisans. Low-quality training duped apprentices into thinking that they were fully qualified when they were not. Furthermore, apprenticeship varied widely across construction trades and master artisans. Batching was eyeballed instead of being measured scientifically resulting in insufficient cement to the aggregate ratio in cement blocks, concrete and mortar works. Moreover, weak cement blocks often lead to poor construction and weak buildings with rising moisture content in walls, leaking roofs, cracks and structural failures.

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to explore the de/motivation variables in the delivery of housing microfinance (HMF) in the low-income housing market in Ghana.Design/methodology/approach -The paper relied on a survey of 125 respondents of microfinance institutions (MFIs) to understand the interactions and effects of these variables on HMF delivery in Ghana. Descriptive and bivariate statistical methods were used to analyse the data.Findings -The findings revealed that both internal and external variables motivate MFIs to engage in the lowincome housing market. These variables are: MFIs desire for expansion, the potential size of the low-income housing market, the market potential for MFIs growth, the availability of local resources, unique features and products of the market, low-income housing offering an opportunity for leveraging resources and the preference for homeownership than rental among individuals in the low-income segment of the population. However, variables such as capital lockup in HMF delivery, high-interest rates in the country, high cost and land prices, high cost and price of building materials, lack of sufficient collaterals and the different interest rates required on HMF loans also served as demotivation in the low-income housing market in Ghana.Research limitations/implications -The paper findings are limited in context to Ghana.Practical implications -The paper, although limited to Ghana, contributes to the much-needed body of knowledge on low-income housing finance in developing countries.Originality/value -The paper is the first of its kind in using empirical data to explore the motivational and demotivational variables in the delivery of HMF in a developing country context such as Ghana.

This paper explored the antecedents and the role of local artisans in Spatial Planning (SP) activities in Ghana. The paper was based on the results of an inspection of 5896 already built houses at Mepe in the Volta Region of Ghana. A mixed method research approach was used to gather the data through snowball non-probability sampling technique. It enabled the researchers to identify 100 local artisans. Survey questionnaires were used, which was followed by structured interviews with five (5) elders who lived in the town for over 65 years. The results showed that the early houses were built on community lands with mud and thatch clustered with narrow and unnamed alleys. Property owners heavily depended on local artisans for professional guidance, although some artisans were ill-trained and unaware of existing government SP regulations. The study was limited to artisans who practiced at the local community level. The findings showed that many local artisans were poorly trained, resulting in poor workmanship and non-compliance with local planning regulations. The paper recommends the integration of SP into the artisanal curricula at both local and national levels to improve their skills.