Global fashion coalition launches in the heart of Kantamanto Market
Speaking at the launch Reverend Opoku Afreh, President of Kantamanto Obroniwawu Businesses Association said, ”Our expectation is that ARC will build upon the existing knowledge, skills and resourcefulness of the Kantamanto community rather than overlook or replace them. We want our members to have access to the necessary infrastructure, investment and opportunities to expand their businesses,…
As four major fashion corporations inaugurated the Apparel Recovery Coalition (ARC) at the heart of Kantamanto Market in Accra, Ghana, the Kantamanto Obroniwawu Businesses Association (KOBA) welcomed them with open arms. KOBA, representing the market leaders, joined forces with H&M Group, Inditex, BESTSELLER, adidas, The Or Foundation, and the independent facilitator Circle Economy to initiate the ARC.
The coalition's purpose is to investigate the utilization of producer responsibility systems to promote circular pathways like reuse, upcycling, recycling, and responsible waste management in nations receiving significant amounts of secondhand clothing exports, such as Ghana.
Rev. Opoku Afreh, President of KOBA, emphasized that the ARC intends to leverage the existing knowledge, skills, and resourcefulness of the Kantamanto community rather than disregarding or replacing it. He expressed enthusiasm for providing members with the necessary infrastructure, investment, and opportunities to enhance their businesses, bolster their livelihoods, and fortify the sustainable practices they have cultivated over decades.
Kantamanto Market, a thriving hub for secondhand clothing reuse, repair, and upcycling, processes approximately 25 million garments monthly and sustains the livelihoods of tens of thousands of workers and entrepreneurs. This bustling location serves as a prime example of how post-consumer textiles are managed, as well as the escalating environmental and social consequences associated with them, including water and soil pollution.
Underneath upcycled canopies, fashioned by The Or Foundation's Remanufactory, and a podium and sound system fabricated from Cassaboard – a material derived from waste textiles – the ARC launch took place at the market’s central Egg Sellers Lane. KOBA President Afreh commended the market's leadership, KOBA, and The Or Foundation for hosting the event in the market itself, rather than in a conference room.
Addressing the brand representatives, Gifty Anderson, Secretary of Kantamanto Women's Association, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to observe first-hand the challenges they face. She emphasized that decisions made from boardrooms overseas often leave these communities dealing with the consequences. Anderson emphasized the importance of acknowledging the problem before attempting to find solutions.
The ARC, in its first demonstration project, aims to fortify Ghana's existing circular textile ecosystem. Recognizing the Or Foundation's 15 years of dedicated support for this ecosystem, the Coalition intends to expand upon their experience while learning from the communities at the center of the secondhand clothing trade. The Or Foundation will continue to organize and implement initiatives across Accra, such as improvements to infrastructure at Kantamanto Market, environmental remediation, and training programs.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
