Kantamanto Social Club Fire Relief
On the night of January 1st and into the morning of January 2nd, 2025, a devastating fire swept through Ghana's Kantamanto Market, destroying an estimated 60% of the market. The blaze claimed 8,890 stalls, affecting over 10,000 people, including tailors, retailers, kayayei, upcyclers, and many others. Tragically, at least two lives were lost, and more than 500 people were injured. Many received medical care from The OR Foundation's on-site teams, who provided first aid, water, and tetanus shots.
Since the fire, the Kantamanto community, supported by local NGOs The OR Foundation and The Revival, has been tirelessly rebuilding. These organisations have provided direct relief, medical aid, and cleanup resources. Together with market leadership, they have begun reconstructing the market’s infrastructure. However, the next urgent step is to support over 10,000 market workers who have lost their businesses and livelihoods. The OR Foundation estimates that rebuilding businesses and replacing lost resources will require up to $10 million.
To us, Kantamanto is more than just a market—it’s a global symbol of resilience and sustainable fashion. Every week, its community repurposes millions of OUR unwanted textiles into something meaningful, showcasing creativity and environmental responsibility.
For over two years, Kantamanto Social Club has worked alongside a group of upcyclers to spotlight the impact of the global textile system on the Global South. These eight designers represent a broader community of resilience and creativity, and their work directly supports thousands of others. Now, we must stand in solidarity with them.
Since the fire, we’ve been in contact with the upcyclers, who are all safe but have suffered significant losses. Together, they have lost an estimated GHS 129,990 (€8,614.33 / $8,829.34) in machinery, finished garments, materials, and tools. Specifically:
- Six sewing machines: GHS 31,040 (€2,057 / $2,108.34)
- Finished garments and sourced materials: GHS 91,950 (€6,093.45 / $6,245.54)
- Building materials: GHS 7,000 (€463.88 / $475.46)
These losses mean that many upcyclers have been forced to borrow equipment, pay for expensive temporary spaces, or start over entirely. Their valuable collections of materials—painstakingly gathered over years—are gone.
We need your help to support these designers in rebuilding their businesses. Your donation will help us replace essential tools, restock materials, and provide workspaces. Supporting them also sustains the livelihoods of downstream stakeholders, including tailors, retailers, and kayayei, whose incomes depend on the market’s recovery.
Together, we can help restore hope, rebuild lives, and ensure Kantamanto continues to thrive as a global hub of creativity and sustainability.
Every contribution counts. Stand with us today.
*The full amount includes all processing fees making sure the whole GHS 129,990 (€8,614.33 / $8,829.34) amount goes to the upcyclers