Devastated traders in the West African nation of Ghana are seeking aid to rebuild the country’s largest second-hand clothing market. The Kantamanto Market in the capital Accra was ravaged by a fire on the night of Jan. 1 that reduced huge swaths of it to ashes and destroyed millions of used clothing items. According to a statement Sunday by the Ghana-based Or Foundation, nearly 8,900 stalls were destroyed and 10,000 people were directly affected. “15 million secondhand garments arrive from the Global North in Kantamanto Market every week, and the community of more than 30,000 people working in Kantamanto Market is responsible for recirculating 25 million pieces of second-hand clothing every month through resale, reuse, repair and remanufacturing. It’s a vibrant hub of creativity and a necessary alternative to fast fashion,” the charity said, emphasizing the market’s vital role. A representative of the Or Foundation confirmed to Anadolu on Monday that they were seeking donations to help rebuild the businesses. “This funding will be dispersed according to the expressed priorities of market leadership. Resources are needed to rebuild…Resources will be needed to keep individuals afloat physically, financially and spiritually,” the foundation said in the statement. It said that while it was not able to confirm actual financial losses, nearly 60% of the market was burnt to ground. Most of the items sold in the market came from the US, Canada and England. Although the reason behind the fire is still under investigation, rebuilding has begun, according to a report by the Ghana News Agency. Ghanian President John Mahama’s special aide and spokesperson Joyce Mogtari Bawah said the administration will “soon begin enhancing the market.” Former Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kyerematen was among those leading with donations to help the devastated businesses. Given the enormity of the damage caused by the fire, the All Traders Association at Kantamanto sought support from everyone. “Our doors are open for support to rebuild our market,” it said. People also called on big fast fashion brands to contribute to the market’s reconstruction. “Tens of millions of dollars were lost in equipment, bales of secondhand clothing, infrastructure and other supplies,” it said. “The Kantamanto community spends over $300 million on bales every year, over half of which is paid to the Global North exporters.”
