Major Fire Devastates Kantamanto 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 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.

A devastating fire has ravaged the Kantamanto secondhand clothing market in Accra, Ghana, destroying approximately two-thirds of the facility and affecting thousands of traders. The blaze erupted around 10 PM on January 1, 2025, resulting in millions of Ghanaian cedi lost in goods and materials. The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) responded with 13 fire tenders, managing to contain the flames, but not before extensive damage was done. Fortunately, no severe casualties have been reported, according to GNFS spokesperson Alex King Nartey, who indicated that investigations are ongoing into the causes, which may include faulty electrical connections. Kantamanto, a vital hub for approximately 30,000 people, received an estimated 15 million secondhand garments weekly from countries in the global north prior to the fire. Local traders observed the quick destruction of their stalls, and many are now grappling with significant losses that threaten their livelihoods. Community leader Yayra Agbofah remarked on the urgency of the situation, stating that efforts to rebuild the market must commence quickly to allow traders to return to work. The Or Foundation has pledged $1 million to assist with the cleanup and is urging the global fashion industry to provide additional support, emphasizing the need for a sustainable circular system in the fashion sector. The aftermath of this disaster reveals the essential role of Kantamanto in combating fast fashion and offering an alternative model for textile resale and reuse. Many affected individuals face an uncertain future without immediate government support or resources to recover.