The Ghana Used Clothing Dealers Association has debunked a recent report by the European Union (EU) that Ghana is being used as a dumping place for secondhand clothing.
The Association said their position is based on the outcome of research on “An Evaluation of the Socioeconomic and Environmental impact of the secondhand clothes trade in Ghana.”
The research report was launched in Accra on May 15, 2024. The research was backed by scientific data and facts which was led by Dr. Stephen Odonkor of the Metropolitan Research and Education Bureau at GIMPA.
According to the General Secretary of the Association, Atobrah Edward Binkley, “the outcome of the research shows that plastic waste is leading, followed by paper, metal with textiles, both secondhand and new, contributing the least.”
President of Ghana Union of Traders Associations, Dr. Joseph Obeng said the outcome of the research would be made known to the EU.
In a related development, Teresia Wairimu who is the Chairperson for Mitumba Consortium Association of Kenya (MCAK) said in Kenya, used clothing is called ‘Mitumba” and the EU dares not to touch it, because it is their life.
The Chairman of Ghana Used Clothing Dealers Association, Jeffren Abrokwah said they would not relent in forming alliance with their counterparts in other African countries to preserve their business.
“We will not allow anybody to take away our livelihood which is our existence” he added.
Story by Kingsley Adusei Amakye Onua/3news
