Rawlings Park transformed into a vibrant scene of color, creativity, and community spirit as Kantamanto Market joined forces with Ghana’s dynamic thrift and upcycling community to host OWO Day 2025, the grand finale of Obroni Wawu October (OWO). Now in its fourth year, OWO Day has become a landmark event in Accra’s cultural calendar, celebrating the innovation, resilience, and artistry that drive one of the world’s most unique secondhand economies.
This year’s theme, “Kantamanto! — A Celebration of the Community’s Strength and Resolve,” perfectly captured the essence of a market that continues to rise, rebuild, and lead the way in global textile circularity.
Obroni Wawu October (OWO) is more than a festival—it’s a tribute to Kantamanto’s culture of creativity and sustainability. The movement honors the market’s role as a global hub for reuse, repair, upcycling, and remanufacturing. It connects Kantamanto’s traders with Accra’s growing online thrift community, fostering collaboration and solidarity across the city. At its core, OWO exists to celebrate Kantamanto’s workers while creating platforms for learning, empowerment, and joy. The initiative envisions a future where Kantamanto is recognized as a world-class center of circular creativity.
Beginning in July, upcycling artisans from Kantamanto took part in OWO School, a four-month intensive program and fashion accelerator designed by The Or Foundation in partnership with Kantamanto upcyclers. Twenty selected participants benefited from workshops, mentorship, business guidance, and networking opportunities. Sessions were led by local and international experts on material transformation, decolonizing creative processes, remanufacturing, and brand development. Under the 2025 theme, “The Flavor of Upcycling,” seven collaborative collections emerged, each reflecting stories of resilience, pleasure, and innovation—later showcased at OWO Day.
Throughout October, The Or Foundation, together with the Kantamanto Obroni Wawu Businesses Association, Kantamanto Women’s Association, and Kantamanto Upcyclers Association, organized a series of events emphasizing sustainability and unity.
The celebrations began on October 4 with the OWO Beach Cleanup, in collaboration with The Tide Turners, a cooperative focused on tackling textile waste along Accra’s coastline. The cleanup diverted an impressive 29 tons of waste from the ocean, underscoring the community’s dedication to environmental responsibility.
On October 11, attention turned to Kayayei Night, an evening dedicated to honoring over 420 female head porters (kayayei) who form the backbone of Kantamanto’s trade ecosystem. The night featured storytelling, sisterhood, and empowerment—celebrating their strength and invaluable contribution to the circular economy.
Then, on October 19, the OWO Block Party took over Kantamanto’s iconic Shoe Yard, transforming it into a vibrant space of music, fashion, and culture. Organized in partnership with Kantamanto Traphouse—a popular collective of thrift vendors and artists—the event brought together creatives from across Accra to celebrate the market’s pulse and heritage.
The grand finale, OWO Day 2025, held on the last Sunday of October, was the most spectacular yet. The event featured 35 thrift and upcycled fashion vendors and 15 food stalls, creating a bustling atmosphere filled with color, style, and innovation. Fashion enthusiasts showcased bold, creative thrifted looks in the Drip Contest, hosted by Joseph Nti, while performers wowed audiences during the Talent Show, where the winner took home GH₵2,000.
Music filled the night with electrifying performances from McAldhan—last year’s Talent Show winner and a proud Kantamanto thrift seller—alongside Iveth Stunner, RCee, and Joey B, with Kojo Junior as host. The performances highlighted the deep link between Kantamanto’s culture, music, and fashion.
What began as a grassroots initiative has evolved into a powerful movement spotlighting Kantamanto’s creativity, labor, and leadership in sustainable fashion. OWO 2025 was led by Sammy Oteng and Nirvana Safo from The Or Foundation, whose dedication continues to push forward the global conversation on ethical fashion and circular design.
Pulse Ghana and Cove Media served as the official media partners for Obroni Wawu October 2025.