Ghana receives massive volumes of unwanted clothing from the Global North. At Accra’s Kantamanto Market, bales of secondhand clothes arrive daily—many ending up as waste on beaches and in drains.
An Artistic Intervention in Kantamanto
Okrika Reclaimed is a socially engaged art installation by Victoria-Idongesit Udondian, taking place inside Kantamanto. It reimagines discarded clothing as both material and metaphor, transforming waste into powerful artworks.
Merging Art, Community & Activism
With support from FCA Ghana and Revival Earth, the project features installations, workshops, performances, and clean-ups. It aims to spark dialogue and inspire sustainable solutions from within the community.
Centering the Kayayei
The project collaborates with kayayei—female head porters who carry bales through the market. Five women are helping create sculptural headpieces that reflect their experiences and labor.
Live Events
- Public Talk – July 10, 2025 at Foundation for Contemporary Arts, Accra
- Runway Performance – July 11 or 12, 2025 at Kantamanto Market
Global Impact, Local Action
Backed by the 2024 AWAW Environmental Art Grant, Okrika Reclaimed highlights how 40% of secondhand imports are unusable, damaging local ecosystems. The project challenges exploitative global trade, while elevating African voices and solutions.