Stakeholders in Ghana’s second-hand clothing industry are set to hold a dialogue as part of measures to address pressing issues in textile waste management.
Scheduled for 22nd – 23rd May 2025 at the Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra, the dialogue will serve as a strategic platform for addressing policy gaps, driving investment in market transformation, and ensuring that Ghana’s second-hand clothing sector evolves into a model for circular innovation in Africa.
The dialogue dubbed “Landfills2Landmarks 2025” will bring together international experts, policymakers, and businesses seeking sustainable solutions, while also drawing significant media attention to the issues confronting Ghana’s textile industry.
The leadership of the Ghana Used Clothing Association said there has been misleading information about the trade, hence the need to set the records straight with the emergence of inaccurate international media publicity of the trade as well as revamp the Kantamanto second-hand clothing market.
The dialogue will also be used to discuss discrepancies in reported textile waste figures. The Association challenged claims that 40% of second-hand clothing is waste, asserting that the real figure does not exceed 5%.
“A debate that underscores the urgent need for transparency in the industry to inform effective policies, sustainable trade models, and industry accountability is crucial,” they contended.
The Association also called for greater transparency in global sustainability efforts, urging solutions based on real impact, not optics.
“Stronger policies are needed to regulate imports, safeguard Ghana’s second-hand clothing sector, and hold brands accountable for their environmental footprint across the supply chain,” they stated.
Co-founder Henry Treku emphasized the need to address imbalances in the global second-hand clothing trade, calling for greater transparency and equity in how textile waste is managed.
He highlighted how Landfills2Landmarks 2025 serves as a platform to bridge the gap between policy, industry, and sustainability, ensuring that both international and local brands integrate sustainability as a core business strategy.
He stressed that achieving the 100% textile waste diversion goal by 2050 requires brands, both global and domestic to embrace responsible production, invest in waste reduction strategies, and actively participate in circular economy initiatives.
Samuel Ofori-Gyampoh introduced the CremeXchange Textile Traceability App and marketplace, set to launch at the event, to improve data accuracy and track textile flows and create a more transparent second-hand clothing trade.
He also announced training programs to help industry players use digital tools for circular commerce, waste tracking and responsible supply chain management.
