Fire Destroys Ghana’s Kantamanto Market, a Global Secondhand Clothing Hub

The blaze devastated two-thirds of the market, displacing thousands of traders and highlighting the global fashion industry’s waste crisis.

The fire broke out late on January 1, 2025, at Kantamanto Market in Accra, Ghana, destroying over 60% of the market and displacing thousands of traders.
Kantamanto Market is one of the world’s largest secondhand clothing markets, processing 15 million garments weekly and supporting over 30,000 livelihoods.
Preliminary investigations suggest faulty electrical connections as a possible cause, though arson has not been ruled out; no severe casualties were reported.
The Or Foundation has pledged $1 million to relief efforts, with plans to raise additional funds to rebuild the market and assist affected vendors.
The disaster underscores the environmental and economic challenges of the global fashion industry, with Kantamanto playing a key role in circular fashion and waste management.