An Examination of Unethical Practices in the Construction Sector: The Case of Government Projects in the Wa Metropolis, Ghana

Although several studies have been conducted on unethical practices in the construction industry worldwide, little has been done in Ghana's Wa Metropolis, especially regarding government contracts. As a result, it is necessary to look into how unethical actions affect government construction projects in Wa Metropolis. The study used a mixed-methods approach. The survey included 212 respondents, while the interviews were conducted with 16 participants. Data were gathered using questionnaires and interviewing guides and then analysed using thematic analysis, factor analysis, Spearman's rank correlation, and descriptive statistics. The results revealed that unethical practices in the construction industry are driven by contractors' competition, bribery, profit maximisation, illegal contract awards, a lack of transparency, job insecurity, and excessive love of money. The effects of unethical practices in the construction industry were also found to include poor craftsmanship, short project lifespans, inexperienced contractors, safety concerns, fatalities, misallocation of resources, inflated project costs, and project abandonment. Overall, projects were negatively impacted by unethical behaviour in the construction industry. To enhance ethical conduct in the construction sector, the Association of Contractors should adopt and enforce a comprehensive code of ethics as a foundation for its operations, supported by robust regulatory oversight, strict adherence to public procurement laws, transparent bidding processes, and ongoing ethical awareness initiatives. The originality of this study lies in its focus on ethical issues within the construction industry, specifically in the Wa Metropolis. Unlike most prior studies in Ghana, which tend to address ethical concerns more broadly, this research uniquely concentrates on government projects.