By Florence Afriyie Mensah
Kumasi, April 28, GNA — Professor Samuel Amos-Abanyie, an architecture professor at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, has observed that many students in Ghana are learning in environments that may be undermining their health, concentration and academic performance.
He noted that poor lighting, excessive heat and high noise levels in many classrooms are negatively affecting students’ wellbeing and learning outcomes, stressing the need for urgent improvements in classroom design and conditions.
Delivering his professorial inaugural lecture in Kumasi, Prof Amos-Abanyie said many educational spaces in Ghana fall short of the standards required for effective teaching and learning.
The lecture, titled “Protecting Humanity from Itself: Indoor Environmental Quality in an Era of Climate Stress,” drew on his research, which shows that high noise levels significantly disrupt teaching and cognitive development.
In some cases, noise levels around schools exceed recommended limits by between 30 percent and over 100 percent, particularly in areas close to highways and commercial zones.
He attributed the situation to rapid urbanisation, unplanned building extensions and poor design decisions, and called for city planning that balances functionality with human wellbeing.
The lecture also highlighted poor daylighting as a major concern, noting that building extensions carried out without professional input often reduce window sizes and limit natural light.
“Occupants accept inadequate daylight as normal, but normal should never compromise health. Poor lighting increases reliance on artificial sources and is linked to stress, fatigue and reduced academic performance,” he stated.
He added that rising temperatures and poor ventilation are forcing schools to depend on artificial cooling, increasing energy costs and placing additional strain on electricity supply.
Prof Amos-Abanyie recommended that authorities integrate indoor environmental quality into the design, construction and modification of educational facilities.
He called on school authorities, developers and policymakers to prioritise proper ventilation, adequate daylight and effective noise control, while urging students to be mindful of their study environments.
GNA
Edited by Yussif Ibrahim/Audrey Dekalu