Published on 09 April 2025.

Fire at Kantamanto Market, Ghana - 2025

Textile waste.

A devastating fire broke out at the Kantamanto Market in Accra, Ghana, on January 2, 2025, destroying the country's largest second-hand clothing market. The blaze displaced thousands of traders and caused significant economic losses, with goods worth millions of cedis destroyed. The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) deployed 13 fire tenders to combat the flames, but the market was left in ruins.

The Kantamanto Market, home to over 30,000 traders recirculating 25 million second-hand garments every month, has been a vital part of Accra's Central Business District, and the fire has had a profound impact on the community.

Clothes from numerous brands were sold at Ghana's Kantamanto market, including H&M, Levi Strauss, Tesco, Primark, New Look, Adidas, Nike, Gildan, Marks & Spencer, Next, Zara and Shein. Most items circulating in the market are donated clothes from the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Approximately 60% of clothing is produced from synthetic fibers such as polyester, acrylic, and nylon, all of which are types of plastic. Although exporting of plastic waste is restricted under the Basel Convention and to be banned in the EU, the assessments of Changing Market investigations suggest more than 1 in 3 pieces of used clothing shipped to Kenya, but applies also to all other African countries, contains plastic and is of such a low quality that it immediately becomes waste.

Textile waste can be classified as hazardous based on its composition and the presence of certain chemicals. For instance, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Textile manufacturing facilities may generate hazardous waste if their waste contains substances that are ignitable, corrosive, reactive, or toxic.

In the European Union, the European Waste Catalogue (EWC) categorizes different types of waste, including textile waste, and designates some as hazardous based on their characteristics.

Selection of Companies shipping second-hand clothes to Ghana:

Eurotex, is one of the companies that ship second-hand clothing containers to Ghana.

Eurotex, based in Bulgaria, has experience exporting used clothing and shoes to Africa, including Ghana. They pack the clothing in small bales and woven polypropylene bags.

In 2021 and 2022, Poland and the Netherlands were key exporters of used clothes to Ghana.

Preliminary investigations suggest that faulty electrical connections might have sparked the fire, although arson has not been ruled out. The incident has left many traders, who rely on the market for their livelihoods, in a dire situation.

The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) is still investigating the cause of the fire and has been working to provide immediate relief to those affected. The president of the Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG), David Kwadwo Amoateng, emphasized the importance of the market to the local economy and urged the government to provide emergency funding to support the traders.

Basic Information

Case ID: 2025.006

Identification Number from Open Supply Hub (OS-ID): none

Affected Country: Ghana

Date of occurrence: 2025-04-04

Ecological Sector Risks concerned:

Soil contamination
Food contamination
Water and freshwater pollution
Air pollution
Chemicals of concern (as defined in UNEP Chemicals in Products Programme) (use or exposure or emission)

Community Details

Name of community:
Accra, Ghana

District of community:
Kantamanto Market
Accra
Ghana

Known effects on communities:

Air pollution: Burning large quantities of synthetic clothing releases harmful chemicals like dioxins and furans into the air, posing respiratory risks to nearby communities. Greenpeace's air quality tests¹ conducted at public washhouses in Accra’s Old Fadama settlement revealed the presence of carcinogenic substances including benzene and poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at levels significantly surpassing European safety standards, thereby endangering workers and nearby communities. Given its substantial size, the fire at the Kantamanto market likely released similar toxic emissions, potentially on a larger scale than average.

Water pollution: Rainwater runoff from the burned market area can carry toxic residues into nearby waterways, potentially harming aquatic life and impacting water quality. 

Land contamination: Ash and debris from the fire can contaminate the surrounding soil, impacting plant growth and potentially leaching harmful chemicals into the ground

Health Issues

Respiratory Issues: The smoke and fumes from the fire can cause respiratory problems, including coughing, shortness of breath, and exacerbation of pre-existing conditions like asthma and bronchitis
Burn Injuries: Individuals caught in the fire or attempting to salvage goods may suffer from burn injuries, which can range from minor to severe
Mental Health: The trauma of losing livelihoods and the stress of rebuilding can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Economic Stress: The loss of income and financial instability can lead to poor nutrition and lack of access to healthcare, further impacting overall health