Skinner noted that since the majority of market members were women, the security personnel would be trained in gender-based violence prevention, first aid, and fire-fighting techniques, adding that the foundation was in the process of installing 1,000 fire extinguishers across the marketplace to enhance safety.

The foundation’s co-founder, Liz Ricketts, who shared insights into the organisation’s growth and its mission to support sustainable practices in Ghana’s secondhand clothing trade said the “Kantamanto Market today represents a model of circular economy, and a place where upcycling and reusing were at the heart of what people do, hence they were proud to support such a vibrant community.”

She reflected on the foundation’s evolution, noting that its initial focus on education shifted towards improving market conditions due to the declining quality of secondhand clothing and rising operational costs.

“We want to make sure, first and foremost, that the electricity in the market is safe and legally installed,” Ricketts emphasised, stressing that equal access to electricity was essential for vendors who require power for business operations like fans and phone charging.

Samuel Owusu-Sekyere, Director of Operations for The OR Foundation, noted that the organisation had already distributed over 22.5 million Ghana Cedis to more than 9,000 market members through mobile money transfers, invested 3 million Ghana Cedis in purchasing lumber for the reconstruction of the market, to help businesses bounce back.

He disclosed that the foundation was ” working with the leadership of the market, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), the fire service, and other government institutions to ensure that Kantamanto becomes a place where people can trade safely and contribute to Ghana’s economy.”

He also addressed misconceptions regarding the foundation’s involvement with the market, clarifying that The OR Foundation was not purchasing the land but working to improve the market’s conditions.

“Kantamanto is government land, and no NGO can buy it. Our focus is on improving the working environment and collaborating with stakeholders,” he emphasised.

A Director of Works at the AMA, Samuel Mantey, praised the ongoing efforts to rebuild the market and enhance its safety and called for unity among market members to work together to address the challenges facing the community.

Mr. Mantey disclosed that all activities being undertaken by The Or Foundation at the market were backed by an MoU signed with the AMA, adding that they had the full support of the assembly.

Mr. Mantey urged the traders to monitor activities in the market, be each other’s keepers, and ensure that safety and security were maintained. He further disclosed that the AMA would station security personnel in the market to enhance its safety and security.

Market Manager of Kantamanto, Atta Manu, acknowledged the challenges of implementing such a large-scale project, explaining that the process would take time.

“We need to engage technicians to map out the entire system,” Manu said, assuring that once the work begins, any substandard wiring would be replaced to prevent future fire hazards.

Other speakers from the foundation, including Ama Agyemang, a community health nurse with The Or Foundation, Senior Manager for Community Engagement, Sammy Oteng, and Frank Aboyinga, a member of the foundation’s Tide Turner beach cleanup team, who spoke at the event, acknowledged the organization’s comprehensive efforts, such as providing first aid to over 500 individuals, setting up a health post within the market, running an apprenticeship program for Kayayei to help them transition from dangerous work, promoting upcycling businesses like fiberboard hanger production, and collaborating with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and market leadership on fire relief and waste collection programs since 2020.