The Or Foundation has committed $1 million in immediate emergency relief following the devastating fire at Kantamanto Market, the world’s largest secondhand clothing market. The blaze, which broke out on January 1, 2025, has caused catastrophic losses for thousands of traders, upcyclers, and workers who rely on the market, located in Accra, Ghana, as a critical hub for recycling and reusing clothing.
Kantamanto Market serves as a vital link in the global secondhand clothing supply chain, with an estimated 15 million garments arriving weekly from the Global North. More than 30,000 people are involved in activities like resale, reuse, repair, and remanufacturing, contributing to the recirculation of 25 million secondhand items each month. The market plays a crucial role in providing affordable clothing, while offering an alternative to fast fashion and supporting local livelihoods.
The fire destroyed significant portions of the market, including merchandise, shops, tools, and equipment. Many families and individuals are left in distress as they face the aftermath of this devastating event. The Or Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the sustainability of the secondhand clothing economy, is working swiftly to support those impacted by the fire.
In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, funds have been allocated for debris removal and to assist individuals who were injured or affected by the fire’s destruction. The Or Foundation is also collaborating directly with market leaders and community members to raise further funds to rebuild the market. Immediate financial assistance will be provided to retailers, upcyclers, and women working as kayayei (head porters) who have lost their livelihood due to the destruction.
The Or Foundation is working closely with local stakeholders, including the Ghana Used Clothing Dealers Association (GUCDA) and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, to coordinate relief efforts. The organisation has extended an invitation for these bodies to join in rebuilding the market and providing assistance to those in need.
This emergency relief pledge is part of The Or Foundation’s ongoing commitment to the Kantamanto community. Through its broader Secondhand Solidarity Fund (SSF), the foundation has already distributed over $500,000 since its inception in 2020. These funds have provided emergency food supplies during the COVID-19 lockdowns and direct financial assistance to secondhand clothing retailers and upcyclers following previous fires in the market in 2020 and 2022. The SSF also helps to alleviate debt, support healthcare costs, and fund infrastructure improvements such as new equipment and roofing repairs.
In the wake of the fire, The Or Foundation’s commitment to rebuilding Kantamanto Market and supporting its community remains resolute. With support from the global fashion industry, the foundation aims to ensure the recovery of this vital market and safeguard the livelihoods of its workers in the long term.
