Researcher Profile De-Graft Joe Opoku

Research Topic

Optimising energy consumption and indoor environmental parameters for occupants’ dynamic usage of buildings using IoT and Digital Twin technologies.

Biography

De-Graft is a recipient of the Western Sydney University Postgraduate Research Scholarship. He holds an HND in Building Technology, BSc. degree in Construction Technology and Management, and MPhil. degree in Construction Management from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, KNUST, Ghana. He is a former Graduate Assistant, and Teaching/ Research Assistant at the Department of Construction Technology and Management, KNUST, Ghana. He also served as a Lecturer (Part-time) and external examiner at KAAF University College in Ghana. De-Graft is the second Vice-President of the Ghana Institute of Construction, Ashanti Regional Chapter and a member of the Chartered Institute of Building, UK. He is also a certified Publons Academy Peer Reviewer.

Education

• MPhil. in Construction Management – Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
• BSc. (Hons) in Construction Technology and Management – Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
• HND in Building Technology – Takoradi Technical University, Ghana

Honours / Awards / Grants

• Western Sydney University Postgraduate Research Scholarship (2019)

Professional Affiliations

• Corporate Member of the Ghana Institute of Construction, Ghana (2014 – Present)
• Member of the Chartered Institute of Building, UK (2016 – Present)

Research Interests

• Sustainability
• Construction Management
• Built Environment
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Building Information Modeling (BIM)

Research and Publications

Journal Publications

• Ayarkwa, J., Agyekum, K.,Opoku, D-G.J. and Appiagyei, A.A. (2020), Barriers to the implementation of environmentally sustainable procurement in public universities, International Journal of Procurement Management, Vol. 13, No.1, pp. 24-41.
• De-Graft Joe Opoku, Kofi Agyekum, and Joshua Ayarkwa, (2019), Drivers of environmental sustainability of construction projects: a thematic analysis of verbatim comments from built environment consultants, International Journal of Construction Management, DOI:10.1080/15623599.2019.1678865
• De-Graft Joe Opoku, Joshua Ayarkwa, and Kofi Agyekum, (2019), Barriers to environmental sustainability of construction projects, Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, https://doi.org/10.1108/SASBE-08-2018-0040
• Agyekum, K., Ayarkwa, J. and Opoku, D. J. (2016), Fire safety awareness and management in multi-storey students’ hostels, Asian Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol. 4, No.2, ISSN: 2321 – 0893.

Conference Publications

• Opoku, D.J., Ayarkwa, J. and Agyekum, K. (2018), Barriers to the Adoption of Environmental Sustainability at the Design Stage of Projects. In: Proceedings of 7^th International Conference on Infrastructure Development in Africa, Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria, March, 28-30, 2018, ISSN 978-978-36544-5-8.
• Appiagyei, A. A., Ayarkwa, J., Agyekum, K. and Opoku, D.J. (2018), Barriers to the Implementation of Environmentally Sustainable Procurement in Public Universities. In: Proceedings of 7^th International Conference on Infrastructure Development in Africa, Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria, March, 28-30, 2018, ISSN 978-978-36544-5-8.
• Opoku, D.J., Ayarkwa, J. and Agyekum, K. (2017), A Conceptual Framework of Push Factors for Implementing Environmentally Sustainable Construction Practices. In: Proceedings of 6^th International Conference on Infrastructure Development in Africa, Kumasi, Ghana, April, 12-14, 2017. ISSN 2026-6650, www.icida.knust.edu.gh
• Agyekum, K., Boateng, E.B., and Opoku, D.J. (2016), Fire Safety Preparedness in the Central Business District of Kumasi, Ghana. In: Proceedings of 3^rd International Conference on Applied sciences and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, March, 28-30, 2016.
• Owusu-Manu, D., Edwards, D.J., Badu, E., Opoku, D.J., and Dogbegah, R. (2015), Contextualizing Global Mind-set: The case of Multinational Construction Firms in Ghana. In: Proceedings of International Conference on Infrastructure Development and Investment Strategies for Africa, Livingstone, Zambia, September, 16-18, 2015. ISBN 978-0-86970-787-6, http://diiconference.org
• Opoku, D.J., Dogbegah, R. and Owusu-Manu, D. (2015), The Phenomenon of Global Mindset of Multinational Construction (MNCs) Firms in Ghana: Exploring the Lenses of Challenges and Strategic Gains. In: Proceedings of 12^th International Conference; Organization, Technology & Management in Construction, Primosten, Croatia, September, 2-5, 2015. ISBN 978-953-7686-06-2, www.otmc2015.com

Other Publications

• Opoku, D.J., Owusu-Manu, D. and Agyekum, K. (2016), Global mindset factors affecting performance of foreign contractors in Ghana. Published by LAP Lambert Academic Publishing, ISBN: 978-3-659-85655-6.
• Adjarko, H., Agyekum, K., Ayarkwa, J. and Opoku, D.J. (2016), A Literature Review of Construction Related Environmental Laws and Policies in Ghana (Poster Presentation by 5^th Ghana Science Association, 2016)

Professional Experience

• Graduate Assistant at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana (2018-2019)
• Lecturer (Part Time) at KAAF University College, Gomoa Fetteh Kakraba, Ghana (2017-2019)
• External Examiner at KAAF University College, Gomoa Fetteh Kakraba, Ghana (2017-2019)
• Graduate Assistant at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana (2016-2017)
• Teaching /Research Assistant at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana (2014-2015)

Contact

Disclaimer

This is based on the information provided by the profile holder.