By Seli Baisie
Fashion designers, artists, models, photographers, and thrift vendors from around the world gathered at Accra’s Rawlings Park for the third Obroni Wawu October (OWO) festival, which celebrates Ghana’s vibrant secondhand fashion scene.
The annual event, launched in 2022, pays homage to Kantamanto Market, known as the heart of Ghana’s thrift and upcycling movement.
“Obroni Wawu,” a term meaning “dead white man’s clothes,” is used to describe secondhand clothing imported into Ghana. The festival is led by Community Engagement and Community Business Incubator (CBI) teams in close collaboration with Kantamanto Market leaders and associations, aiming to spotlight Ghana’s legacy of sustainability. This event also strengthens ties with similar secondhand markets across the Global South.
This year’s Obroni Wawu festival featured a week of activities, kicking off with storytelling from kayayei (head porters), followed by a beach cleanup, the lively Kanta Block Party, and culminating in the main OWO Day celebration.
Held under the theme, “I Kant, U Kant, We Kant,” the festival received a massive turnout from fashion lovers, sustainability advocates, and stakeholders from across Ghana and beyond. Attendees celebrated Kantamanto Market’s crucial role in extending the life cycle of clothing through reuse, repair, and upcycling, all of which contribute to global sustainability.
Kantamanto traders and upcycle designers had the opportunity to showcase and sell their unique, refurbished clothing and accessories to a wide audience.
Festival-goers enjoyed various activities, including upcycling challenges, the Foose Drip contest, the Kanka Talent Show, and live DJ sets.
The event’s musical lineup included performances by Ghanaian artists Pure Akan, Wanlov Kubolor, and Sister Derby, adding to the festival’s dynamic atmosphere.
Obroni Wawu October has become a central event for celebrating circular fashion in Ghana, uniting communities and raising awareness of sustainable practices in the second-hand clothing industry.