Kantamanto Market redevelopment could cost over US$70m - Or Foundation

The redevelopment of Kantamanto Market in Accra using a proposed infrastructure model could cost more than US$70 million, according to The Or Foundation, which is showcasing an 80-stall demonstration site as part of efforts to improve safety and working conditions at the market.

The foundation said the proposed model could be extended across the market, although the estimated cost would require funding from multiple sources, including producer responsibility mechanisms, government-led special levies, public fundraising and private philanthropic support.

The proposed infrastructure model was highlighted during activities marking the fifth anniversary of the Obroni Wawu October (OWO) Festival, which celebrates secondhand fashion, textile recycling and the contribution of workers to Ghana’s circular fashion economy.

According to a press release issued by The Or Foundation on Friday, October 23, 2026, a four-kilometre health walk organised in collaboration with Ghanaian Hiplife musician Reggie Rockstone on Sunday, October 18, ended at the demonstration site.

The 80-stall facility, which occupies land entrusted to the project by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), was designed by Ghanaian architect Nana Ayensua Amonoo of Unapparant. It uses repurposed shipping containers and represents less than one per cent of the market.

The foundation said the facility was intended to demonstrate how improved market infrastructure could enhance safety, accessibility and working conditions for traders.

The design incorporates fire-resistant materials, wider aisles to facilitate the movement of carts carrying large bales of clothing, a solar-powered upcycling centre and waste-management infrastructure.

According to the foundation, the layout is also intended to reduce the physical demands on traders, including the need to carry heavy loads on their heads. Its modular structure could allow for faster construction and reduce the displacement of traders during future redevelopment.

However, the foundation stressed that the demonstration site was not a comprehensive redevelopment solution for the entire market.

It said that over the past 12 months, it had engaged representatives of the Kantamanto Women’s Association, the Kantamanto Upcyclers’ Association and other market leaders to obtain feedback on the project.

The proposed redevelopment comes amid broader discussions about the infrastructure needs of Kantamanto Market, where traders and other workers depend on the secondhand clothing trade for their livelihoods.

The OWO Festival activities also included the health walk, which brought together market traders, particularly women, fashion enthusiasts and other members of the public.

Rockstone, the festival’s ambassador for 2026, said the exercise was intended to promote physical fitness and strengthen unity among traders while drawing attention to the economic contribution of the secondhand clothing industry.

He also highlighted the potential of textile recycling and upcycling to turn discarded clothing into commercially valuable products, but said the sector needed investment, technical expertise and stronger support from government and other stakeholders.

The President of the Kantamanto Women’s Association commended the organisers for providing an opportunity for market women to prioritise their health.

The main OWO Festival was scheduled for Sunday, October 25, at Untamed Empire in Accra.