The leadership of Kantamanto Market has dismissed claims by the Ghana Used Clothing Dealers Association (GUCDA) suggesting that The OR Foundation is attempting to buy and collapse the market.
Describing the assertions as misleading and unrepresentative of the true voices within the market, the leadership said the decision by GUCDA to embark on a strike was unreasonable.
In a statement, the leadership reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, sustainability, and an ongoing partnership with The OR Foundation — an organisation working to end the dumping of used clothing into the ocean.
According to the leadership, GUCDA represents only a small segment of the secondhand clothing trade, mainly importers, and not the broader community of small-scale retailers, head porters (kayayei), tailors, upcyclers, and resellers who drive the market’s daily business.
“GUCDA does not represent us,” the leadership emphasized.
They further expressed strong support for The OR Foundation, highlighting the organisation’s long-standing collaboration with Kantamanto retailers. They credited the foundation for earning the community’s trust through consistent support, including fire recovery aid, upcycling training, public health initiatives, and joint research projects 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 statement said.
The leadership explained that traders often have little control over the contents of imported clothing bales, which frequently include torn, stained, outdated, or excess items that are difficult or impossible to sell.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 statement added.
They also stressed that the waste problem is systemic, rooted in the overproduction of clothing 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,” the leadership stated.
They further rejected what they described as attempts to silence the voices of those who work hardest to sustain the market.
The leadership noted that Kantamanto Market remains open and active despite the recent fire that affected portions of the area.
They credited The OR Foundation for providing essential support, including construction materials and emergency financial aid to over 9,000 people affected by the disaster.
“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.