On the 2nd of January 2025, the world's largest textile resale market that is home to 30,000 people that deal with more than 15 million secondhand clothes that come in from around the world each week, burned down. Overnight, thousands lost their livelihoods and their opportunity to engage in a just transition in fashion as over two thirds of Kantamanto Market in Accra, Ghana was razed to the ground due to improper, unsafe, and unstable construction.
The fire was devastating, affecting and displacing nearly 8000 of the 30,000 retailers in the market. What this means for Kantamanto and Accra is clear as 10 of its 13 sections are now decimated; what this means for the global fashion industry that relies on Kantamanto to deal with its waste still remains to be seen.
Help is needed now, support with as much or as little as you can - it will go a long way as it won't just help them today, but support with building a better, safer tomorrow.