Story: Dennis Ato Keelson
The Ghana Used Clothing Dealers Association (GUDCA) has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving 100% textile waste diversion by 2050, as it prepares to participate in the upcoming Landfills2Landmarks 2025 event.
Scheduled to take place on May 22-23, 2025, at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, the event will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and sustainability advocates to address pressing issues in textile waste management, circular economy practices, and economic transformation within the second-hand clothing sector.
During a meeting with event co-founders of Landfills2Lanmarks, Henry Treku and Samuel Ofori-Gyampoh, GUDCA raised key concerns, including data transparency, inaccurate international media publicity, fast fashion’s impact, and the urgent need to revamp the Kantamanto second-hand clothing market.
The Association challenged claims that 40% of second-hand clothing was waste, asserting that the real figure does not exceed 5%.
This discrepancy highlights the need for transparency in the industry to inform effective policies and sustainable trade models.
GUDCA also called out fast fashion brands for shaping sustainability narratives while fueling the crisis. The association questioned the credibility of brands presenting themselves as part of the solution without tackling overproduction.
The meeting emphasised the need for stronger policies to regulate imports, safeguard Ghana’s second-hand clothing sector, and hold brands accountable for their environmental footprint. GUDCA reiterated the need for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies to enhance garment reuse and promote sustainable recycling.
Co-founder of Landfills2Landmarks, Henry Treku, stressed the need to address imbalances in the global second-hand clothing trade, calling for greater transparency and equity in textile waste management.
He highlighted how Landfills2Landmarks 2025 serves as a platform to bridge the gap between policy, industry, and sustainability.
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.
He disclosed training programs to help industry players use digital tools for circular commerce, waste tracking, and responsible supply chain management.
The Landfills2Landmarks 2025 event is expected to draw significant media attention to the issues confronting Ghana’s textile economy. With GUDCA’s active engagement, the event will serve as a strategic platform for addressing policy gaps, driving investment in market transformation, and ensuring Ghana’s second-hand clothing sector evolves into a model for circular innovation in Africa.
