Major Fire Destroys Iconic Secondhand Clothing Market in Accra, Ghana

A massive cleanup operation is underway in Ghana following a fire that ravaged the Kantamanto secondhand clothing market in Accra. The blaze, which broke out around 10 PM on January 1, 2025, destroyed thousands of stalls and is believed to have been sparked by faulty electrical connections, though arson has not been ruled out. Emergency services deployed 13 fire tenders, managing to control the flames but too late to save the extensive market, which is vital for the livelihoods of approximately 30,000 people. Initial estimates suggest that as many as 8,000 individuals have already been significantly impacted by the destruction, with damages amounting to millions of Ghanaian cedi. Local traders, such as Alhassan Fatawu, expressed devastation over their losses and the sudden disruption to their daily income. "Everything has gone," he lamented, reflecting the widespread sentiment among those affected. The Kantamanto market had been a critical hub for secondhand clothing, receiving an estimated 15 million garments weekly from the global north. It played a crucial role in promoting sustainability through resale and recycling practices. In response to the crisis, the Or Foundation has pledged $1 million towards cleanup efforts and is urging support from the global fashion industry. As community members begin to sift through the ashes, calls for government assistance remain unfulfilled. Many traders are in debt, and the path to rebuilding the market may take considerable time and resources.

A significant fire has wreaked havoc on the Kantamanto secondhand clothing market in Accra, Ghana, destroying two-thirds of the market and leaving thousands of traders facing financial ruin. The fire began late on January 1 and quickly spread, prompting the Ghana National Fire Service to dispatch 13 fire tenders to combat the flames. Initial reports indicate that faulty electrical connections may have caused the blaze, though investigations into potential arson are ongoing. While there have been no severe casualties reported, the economic impact is expected to be substantial, with millions of Ghanaian cedis in goods destroyed. It is estimated that around 8,000 individuals, including stall owners and employees, have been directly affected by the disaster. Kantamanto is known for receiving approximately 15 million used garments from countries in the global North each week, supporting a thriving community of about 30,000 people. The market is a critical hub for those seeking alternatives to fast fashion, emphasizing resale, reuse, and upcycling. Community leaders and advocates are working tirelessly to clear the debris, with hopes of rebuilding the market within a week. However, concerns are mounting regarding the lack of governmental assistance and the urgent need for traders to resume their livelihoods. In response to the crisis, the Or Foundation has pledged $1 million for cleanup efforts and is appealing to the global fashion industry for additional support.

A significant fire swept through Kantamanto Market in Accra, Ghana, on January 1, 2025, destroying approximately two-thirds of the sprawling secondhand clothing hub. The blaze, which ignited around 10 PM local time, prompted the Ghana National Fire Service to deploy 13 fire tenders to control the flames. Authorities report that goods worth millions of Ghanaian cedi have been lost, although significant casualties have not been reported. According to preliminary investigations, the fire may have been caused by faulty electrical connections, with arson not being ruled out. The fire has impacted an estimated 8,000 people, many of whom depended on the market for their livelihoods. Alhassan Fatawu, a stall owner, expressed despair upon discovering that his business, where he created designs from secondhand materials, had been reduced to ashes. Before the incident, Kantamanto was known to receive around 15 million secondhand garments from the Global North each week, serving as a vital resource for approximately 30,000 people involved in reselling, repairing, and upcycling clothing. Yayra Agbofah, founder of a community-led initiative, noted the urgency to rebuild, stating, "People have to return to work because they don’t have anything." The Or Foundation, an organization focused on textile waste, has pledged $1 million to the recovery efforts and is urging support from the global fashion industry. Creative director Daniel Mawuli Quist emphasized the need for true sustainability within the fashion ecosystem, highlighting the importance of valuing every part of the supply chain. As cleanup operations continue, the community remains hopeful for a swift recovery, but concerns linger for the many families who have lost everything.