After a devastating fire outbreak ravaged the Kantamanto Market eight months ago, the world’s largest used clothing hub has bounced back with remarkable resilience.
Despite the challenges, traders have demonstrated strength and determination by rebuilding their stalls and resuming business activities, with support from the Or Foundation.
A ceremony was held on Tuesday to officially reopen the market, drawing a large attendance of leaders of various trade associations, the Mayor of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, and traditional rulers.
The reopening also coincided with the outdooring of the Kantamanto Obroniwawu Businesses Association (KOBA).
The launch marked a pivotal moment for the market community, celebrating its official reopening after a devastating fire in January 2025.
KOBA becomes the first-ever unified association to represent and coordinate all 13 market sections, including secondhand clothing and footwear retailers, upcyclers, tailors, hairdressers, and other businesses.
The launch was the culmination of over a year of dedicated effort by market leaders to create a cohesive body to safeguard against future disasters and champion the interests of the market’s members.
The formation of KOBA represents a transition for market leaders from stewards of a space to leaders of a community.
The event marked the end of the first phase of rebuilding and safety initiatives, including the re-electrification of the market, the installation of fire extinguishers, and the deployment of a new security force in a joint effort between KOBA, The Or Foundation and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, with funding provided by The Or Foundation.
The Or Foundation, an Accra-based NGO dedicated to catalysing a Justice-led Circular Textiles Economy, has served as a key partner in Kantamanto Market’s recovery effort and as a vital ally in the formation of the market-wide association.
During the launch, The Or Foundation signed a grant agreement with KOBA, offering GHs825,000 ($75,000 USD) in startup funding for the newly formed association.
The initial grant from The Or Foundation is intended to build association capacity.
This is in addition to over $3,000,000 USD already granted by The Or Foundation this year to Kantamanto Market members in the form of direct relief payments to over 9,000 individuals after the January fire, healthcare support, security and response service needs assessment, the recruitment and training of a unified security force, and funding for the rebuilding and electrification efforts, a first-of-its-kind market-wide infrastructure project.
Speaking on behalf of President John Mahama, the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Administration of the office of the President, Nana Oye Bampoh Addo, promised continuous support for Kantamanto Market Traders.
She announced that the National Investment Bank will offer financial assistance to traders to enable them to start their business.
The Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey and Ablekumah West Municipal Chief Executive, Nii George Kpakpo Allotey, witnessed the event.
For the first time, Kantamanto has gotten an association representing second-hand clothing retailers, upcyclers, and other businesses operating from within Kantamanto Market.
The Kantamanto Obroniwawu Businesses Association (KOBA)’s goal is to support a more equitable global secondhand trade so that Kantamanto secondhand retailers, upcyclers, and Auxiliary businesses that make the market a bustling hub of activity can prosper.
The Kantamanto Obroniwawu Businesses Association (KOBA) is the first unified association representing the entire Kantamanto market community.
It was formed in the wake of a major fire disaster to unite the market’s 13 sections.
KOBA oversees the safety and cleanliness of Kantamanto Market, ensuring that all businesses operate with dignity and security.
The Or Foundation is a Ghana-based nonprofit organisation working in the area of environmental justice, education, and fashion development.
In partnership with Kantamanto Market, The Or Foundation supports initiatives that advance a Justice-led Circular Textiles Economy through direct action, material innovation, environmental remediation, capacity building, and systemic change.