Major Fire Devastates Ghana's Kantamanto Secondhand Market, Displacing Thousands

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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.

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