Thrift clothes seller and writer Kwame Ofosu reflects on the aftermath of the Kantamanto
Market fire on 2 January after losing a friend in the fire and all his livelihood.
On Thursday, 2 January, 2025, at around 1:15 am, I began receiving multiple calls from Accra informing me that the Kantamanto Market was engulfed in flames.
At the time, I was in Nsuta, Asante Region, my hometown, visiting for the festive season. Fires at the market have unfortunately, become a recurring tragedy over the years, so I initially did not take the news too seriously.
However, as the calls continued, the severity of the situation became apparent. It soon became clear that the fire was causing immense anguish not only in Accra but across Ghana, as people mourned the destruction of the beloved 33-year-old second-hand goods market.
My second home
I left Nsuta for Accra immediately, knowing that my stock was at the market and hoping I might be able to save it. Since 2015, I have operated in Kantamanto, buying goods from wholesalers and selling them to customers in the market area. The market has been my second home; on some nights, I even slept there when business kept me late. Tragically, all my belongings were consumed by the fire.
Kantamanto Market has always been more than just a place of business for me; it is a vibrant ecosystem where livelihoods intertwine. Many of my friends come from the network that sustains the market.
A bustling ecosystem
Porters unload bales of clothing from lorries arriving from the port, and these bales are broken down into smaller sets. Some of us select premium items to sell to retailers, while others, such as the kayayei, carry smaller loads for wholesale buyers.
The market is home to traders selling shoes, belts, cosmetics, mobile phones, and more. It also supports electricians, carpenters, tailors, and others who maintain the market’s infrastructure or offer services like repairs and ironing to enhance the presentation of clothing.
Kantamanto Market serves as a lifeline for thousands of people, providing them with opportunities to earn a livelihood through its vibrant and bustling activities.
Many of these individuals, some are my friends, have travelled from other towns and cities across Ghana, particularly from the Northern and Asante Regions, in search of better prospects.
A home for economic migrants
What makes Kantamanto even more significant is how it becomes a home for many who relocate to Accra to start a new life. Here, they build their futures, start families, and form a close-knit community within the market itself.
At night, when the market closes, these individuals transform makeshift wooden structures into their sleeping spaces, doubling as security personnel to safeguard the market after hours.
Displaced children
The consequences of this devastating inferno have been severe, displacing a large number of young people. Many have lost all of their few possessions, and now, they are forced to sleep on railway tracks, some with their children.
To meet basic needs such as washing and hygiene, they must travel to nearby markets like 4 June and Cocoa Marketing Board, where they seek out public spaces to care for themselves.
The fire devastated much of that ecosystem. Over 1,000 wooden stalls, sheds, and shops, along with their stock and inventory, were reduced to ashes, leaving thousands of traders and workers in despair. Also, there was loss of livestock, birds, sheep, turkeys, ducks which were sold by men from the North.
Losing a friend
Personally, I have lost everything, and the thought of rebuilding from scratch is daunting. Despite my sadness, I am grateful that the loss of life was minimal. One porter, who was also my friend, Kwame Azure from Kwahu, was caught in the fire while sleeping.
Although he was rescued and rushed to Korle Bu Hospital, he tragically passed away around 3pm on the same day. On Thursday 9 January 2025, we will gather to mark one week
since his passing.
The Kantamanto Market has been a crucial hub for affordable clothing, benefiting not only those who work there but also those who rely on its products—roving retailers, clothing boutiques, and everyday Ghanaians seeking budget-friendly options. The fire has disrupted this supply chain, leaving traders like me unable to meet the needs of our customers.
Hope for the future
However, I am optimistic that with support from family and generous wholesalers who might offer goods on credit, I will bounce back.
In the aftermath of the blaze, I spoke with fellow traders about their losses. Kofi, who sells cardigans, shared that he lost 16 bales of clothing, each costing GHS 2,600 (approximately £143: *Jan 2025). He said he hoped that the bank to which he owes GHS 100,000 (approx £5,482: *Jan 2025) would show him some leniency during these difficult times.
Two kayayei, Fadidah and Hadijah, asked if I could help them find jobs
Two kayayei, Fadidah, who was pictured carrying a baby, and Hadijah, wearing a long brown skirt, asked me if I could help them find jobs since their source of livelihood had been destroyed.
The day after the fire, the air was thick with toxic smoke, yet some individuals were already sifting through the debris in search of scrap metal.
Many fire victims were busy clearing the remains of their structures and negotiating with carpenters to rebuild their sheds. What stood out to me most was the resilience of the Kantamanto traders.
Despite the tragedy, they were not paralysed by grief. Instead, they approached the task of rebuilding with determination and hope.
Kantamanto Market, like the mythical phoenix, has risen from the ashes before, and I am confident it will do so again. The indomitable spirit of the traders and workers gives me hope that this cherished market will continue to thrive for years to come.
Kwame is a keen writer who enjoys writing about the sights and sounds of Ghana. Read more of his work here.
This article is an original piece written by Kwame Ofosu and edited by KAmo for AKADi Magazine and cannot be reproduced without permission.
Comments