Market

Kantamanto Market leadership distances itself from GUCDA strike

In a statement issued by the market leadership, they reaffirmed their commitment to transparency, sustainability, and their ongoing partnership with The OR Foundation.

According to the Kantamanto Market leadership, GUCDA represents only a small segment of the secondhand clothing trade — mainly importers — and not the diverse community of small-scale retailers, head porters (kayayei), tailors, upcyclers, and resellers who drive the market’s daily operations.

“GUCDA does not represent us,” the leadership emphasised, reiterating a previous public declaration and calling on the media and development stakeholders to make this distinction clear.

The leadership also expressed strong support for The OR Foundation, highlighting its years of collaboration with Kantamanto retailers.

They noted that the OR Foundation has earned the community’s trust through consistent support, including fire recovery aid, upcycling training, public health initiatives, and research carried out in partnership with market workers.

“Their estimate that around 40% of clothing that enters the market becomes waste is not misinformation — it is an accurate reflection of our daily experience,” the leadership asserted.

They also explained that traders often have no control over the contents of imported clothing bales, which frequently contain torn, stained, outdated, or excess items that are difficult or impossible to sell.

“Waste is not a smear campaign — it is the reality we confront every day,” the leadership said, dismissing GUCDA’s suggestion that the issue was an attack on livelihoods.

The leadership emphasised that the waste problem was systemic, stemming from overproduction in the Global North.

“Kantamanto and Ghana are not dumping grounds by choice, but by design. The global fashion system creates this imbalance, and until that is addressed, local traders will continue to bear the burden,” they said.

Responding to GUCDA’s claim that their strike action represented the interests of Kantamanto traders, the leadership strongly disagreed, noting that prominent individuals featured in GUCDA’s campaign were importers and not the traders who deal with the day-to-day labor and risks of selling secondhand clothes.

“We reject any effort to erase the voices of those who work hardest to sustain this market,” the statement said, adding that attempts to incite protests were undermining the progress being made through local and international collaboration.

The leadership declared that Kantamanto Market remains open and active despite recent challenges, including a devastating fire earlier in the year.

They credited the OR Foundation for providing essential support, such as construction materials and emergency financial aid, to over 9,000 people.

“Our resilience is strong, and our market is vibrant. We welcome all partners who want to trade, collaborate, and invest in a sustainable future,” the statement concluded.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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