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💡 TLDR
The girls that get it, get it: Kantamanto Market isn’t just a place to buy secondhand clothes—it’s a full-blown fashion revolution happening in Ghana. Every week, 15 million used garments flood this m…
The girls that get it, get it: Kantamanto Market isn’t just a place to buy secondhand clothes—it’s a full-blown fashion revolution happening in Ghana. Every week, 15 million used garments flood this market, most imported from the Global North and ending up as waste. But here, trash becomes treasure. Meet the innovators turning this chaos into a circular fashion blueprint.
Gloria Asiamah, known as Aunty Gloria, has been at Kantamanto for 33 years. She started reselling clothes but shifted to upcycling when imported bales started falling apart. “I had two kids to feed,” she says. “I couldn’t just lose money.” Now, she runs a dedicated upcycling section, transforming damaged jeans into kids’ sizes, adding graphic prints to T-shirts, and inspiring others to reimagine waste. As the only female leader, she’s also fighting for better conditions after a fire destroyed her section. “The brands need to pay us for what we do,” she demands.
Next-gen upcyclers are taking it to the next level. The OWO School program, run by The Or Foundation, has trained over 40 innovators since 2023. Ruth Odoom, who started upcycling men’s shirts into boxer shorts, now sells matching sets for $22—up from 50 cents. Samuel Gyasi, a leather wizard, makes patchwork bags and jackets, and his brand Gabusu aims to go global. “It’s not waste to us,” he says. “We’re just giving it a second life.”
But the real heroes? The kayayei—young women carrying bales of textiles between containers and stalls. Many are climate migrants, paid less than 30 cents per trip. The Tarn Program is changing that, teaching them to turn damaged T-shirts into yarn for laptop cases and bags. Brands like Kuoro Earth and Dinnani are cleaning up Accra’s waste crisis while creating jobs. “I want to help girls who have no choice,” says Najiha, founder of Dinnani. “We’re saving the environment, one stitch at a time.”
💫 They’ve removed 2 million kg since 2023, finding 3,800 brand tags—mostly Adidas, Nike, and PVH.
Even the ocean’s getting a makeover. Tide Turners, a beach clean-up crew, hauls 30 tons of textile waste from Jamestown Beach weekly. They’ve removed 2 million kg since 2023, finding 3,800 brand tags—mostly Adidas, Nike, and PVH. “You can’t fix these problems in a day,” says David Akpablie. “You have to be consistent.”
And the science? Katia Osei, head of environmental justice, is restoring a canal clogged with toxic waste. Using biochar and coconut fiber, she’s proving that small labs can tackle big problems. “The solution isn’t a specific thing we do,” she says. “It’s how we see the world.”
So what’s your favorite upcycled find? Drop a pic or share how you’re supporting the movement. Let’s keep it real.
❓ People Also Ask
Who are the main innovators in Kantamanto Market?
Key innovators include tech entrepreneurs, digital payment experts, and e-commerce developers transforming traditional trade into modern, efficient systems.
How is Kantamanto Market adapting to technology?
The market is adopting mobile payments, digital inventory tools, and online platforms to streamline trade and reach broader customers.
💬 What do you think? Let us know in the comments! 👇