Waste within Ghanaian second-hand clothes trade lower than claimed – Report

The Ghana Used Clothing Dealers Association has released new academic research on the sector, indicating that waste in the second-hand clothes sector is significantly lower than previously claimed.

The report states that only 5 per cent of the second-hand clothing imported into the country could be considered as waste.

The data-driven report further highlights that the second-hand clothing sector in Ghana continues to thrive.

Edward Atobrah Binkley, General Secretary of the Ghana Used Clothing Dealers Association, addressed the media on May 14, stating, "The continued use of inaccurate information circulating in some parts of the media about the second-hand clothes trade must stop."

He continued, "Those who have spent years using and repeating false and inaccurate figures about waste in the trade should apologize now for the damage they have done and the harm they have caused."

Binkley emphasized that the details contained in the report vindicate claims of the sector being burdened with waste through the importation of second-hand clothing.

"This report shows that the trade is low waste and an essential part of the global circular economy, providing a solution to the challenges of climate change and waste that the world faces, as well as the over consumption of fast fashion that is wreaking damage on a global scale," Binkley said.

He also highlighted the importance of the sector to Ghana's economy and way of life, providing affordable clothing to millions, while supporting livelihoods across the nation and contributing significantly to Ghana's government tax revenues.

Edward Binkley called on policymakers to exercise caution with plans to regulate the second-hand clothing sector.

"Policymakers should be extremely cautious before further regulating an already well-run and regulated global trade based on bad data and misleading figures," he added.

See the full report below



MA/AE