ACCRA – A devastating fire has swept through Kantamanto Market in Accra, Ghana, razing more than 100 shops. The fire has has left thousands of second-hand clothing traders without livelihoods, dealing a significant blow to Ghana’s informal economy.
15 million second-hand garments arrive from the Global North in Kantamanto Market every week. The community of more than 30,000 people working in Kantamanto Market is responsible for recirculating 25 million pieces of second-hand clothing every month through resale, reuse, repair, and remanufacturing.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) deployed 13 fire trucks to contain the inferno, but much of the market, a major hub for secondhand clothing trade, was reduced to ashes. GNFS spokesperson Alex King Nartey described the incident as “devastating,” adding although there were no severe casualties, the economic losses are immense.
The Or Foundation has committed US$1m to immediate emergency relief efforts. As Kantamanto sits at the end of the linear economy, The Or Foundation is requesting support from the fashion industry.
Preliminary reports indicate that faulty electrical wiring may have triggered the blaze, though arson has not been ruled out. The GNFS is collaborating with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to determine the cause and coordinate relief efforts.
With over 2,000 shops affected, traders returned to the ruins to assess the damage, some sifting through the debris in search of salvageable items. Local associations estimate that approximately 10,000 people rely on Kantamanto Market for their livelihoods.
David Kwadwo Amoateng, president of the Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG), urged the government to provide emergency funding. “This market is the backbone of our informal economy. Immediate intervention is crucial to prevent further hardship,” he stated.
NADMO official Richard Amo Yartey assured the public that relief efforts are underway. “The destruction is overwhelming, but we’re committed to helping traders recover and identifying the root cause of the incident,” he said.
The Kantamanto Market, which accommodates over 30,000 traders, is a key economic lifeline in Accra’s Central Business District. Each week, the market receives around 15 million items of secondhand clothing, primarily from Europe. However, nearly half of these goods are often unsellable, reflecting the market’s dependency on high turnover and affordable supply.