The demonstration was organized by the Garment Dealers Association (GUCDA) in Ghana, organised on April 11, in response to the ongoing disinformation that some merchants believe to be about their trade.
The peaceful protests aim to draw attention to the financial and environmental interests of the second-hand clothing trade in Ghana.
Gucda also used protests to criticize movements or foundations of non-governmental entities, which allegedly puts Kantamanto’s businessmen accountable for global overconsumption.
Protesters believe that solving core issues such as overproduction, insufficient waste management infrastructure and strengthening investment in African circular economies is more important.
The OR Foundation and its branches have allegedly circulated misleading statistics and dramatic images, which has sparked international discussions in Ghana on waste disposal in Ghana, with Gucda members concerned that it could harm the livelihoods of traders.
Gucda also makes the often cited assertion that “40-50%” in imported second-hand clothing becomes waste, a statistics that argues that this statistics comes from controversial research conducted by the OR Foundation on a small scale.
The OR Foundation has not responded to Just Style’s request for comment in the media.
“We will not remain silent while our work is being smeared.
“Traders work tirelessly to give a second life to clothing that would otherwise end up in landfills in Europe or America. We refuse to allow the trade and the image of Ghana to be tarnished by the OR Foundation’s false narratives. It is especially painful that an organisation claiming to champion sustainability is spreading lies about a thriving, sustainable trade that supports livelihoods and clothes millions of our people, all while benefiting from fast fashion money. The hypocrisy is amazing. ”
He added: “We are the ones who clean up the chaos in the fashion industry, not causing this chaos. All we ask for is respect and honesty.”
Ghana Traders Association (GUTA) said it had conducted demonstration plans nationwide to support used clothing dealers because it believed it was a targeted effort to remove its trade.
Local news media Citinewsroom The report said that the leadership of the Cantamanto market has publicly refuted Gucda’s claims, labeling them as deceptive rather than reflecting collective opinions in the market community.
