Alhassan, T.; Ameyaw, S.; Kpamma, Z. E. and Ako-Adjei, J. T. (2026) Sustaining educational infrastructure: An assessment of facilities maintenance management practices in selected public higher education institutions in northern Ghana. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, 44(4), pp. 1046-1061. ISSN 2398-4708
Abstract
Purpose – Educational facilities provide a conducive teaching and learning environment towards achieving educational goals. Therefore, these facilities must be well-maintained to provide the necessary support for academic activities. The study assessed facilities maintenance management practices in public higher education institutions (HEIs) in northern Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative approach was employed. The study population comprised Estate Officers of public higher education institutions in northern Ghana. Face-to-face structured interviews were conducted, and the data collected was analysed thematically and presented using narrations and direct quotes. Findings – Only two of the five institutions had a formalized working document, a maintenance policy, to guide their maintenance activities. HEIs used "inspection" to identify maintenance challenges from the technical staff's perspective. The fact that the reactive maintenance strategy was largely used in all the HEIs also came to light. Originality/value – The study provides information on maintenance management in HEIs in Ghana. It highlights the effects of maintenance policies, and leading and lagging performance indicators on maintenance management.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | buildings; facilities maintenance management; higher education institutions; lagging indicators; leading indicators; practices |
| Index terms: | interview, performance indicator, Ghana, methodology, maintenance management, educational facility, inspection, face, qualitative approach, population, strategy, higher education institution |
| Subjects: | performance management, management, data collection methods, psychology, Geography, research methods, maintenance engineering, demography, quality assurance, educational institutions, construction type |
| Topics: | Education, Geographical Context, Organizational Design, Business Strategy, Quality Management, Urban Studies, Research Practice, Construction Technology |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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