Second-Hand Clothing Dealers Warn OR Foundation Over False Environmental Claims

The Second Hand Clothing Dealers Association has issued a strong warning to the OR Foundation, a not for profit organisation, to cease spreading false information regarding the sustainability and safety of second-hand clothing in Ghana.
The Association claims that the Foundation is misleading the public, particularly in Europe and other parts of the world, by portraying the second-hand clothing industry as a major contributor to environmental damage and economic challenges in Ghana.
According to the Association’s General Secretary, Mr Edward Atobrah Binkley, these accusations are unfounded.
He asserted that the OR Foundation’s claims were linked to the $15 million it reportedly received from the global fashion giant SHEIN, in connection with supposed environmental issues caused by the second-hand clothing trade in Ghana.
He alleged that the Foundation was attempting to justify the large sum by misrepresenting the impact of the trade.
Mr Binkley refuted the claims, emphasising that the second-hand clothing sector plays a crucial role in Ghana’s economy by creating millions of jobs and providing affordable clothing to the population.
“These claims are not only misleading but are part of a broader agenda by the OR Foundation to dismantle a long-standing and essential trade that provides economic benefits to millions of Ghanaians,” he stated.
He further explained that the second-hand clothing trade is an important component of Ghana’s informal economy, directly supporting thousands of traders, wholesalers, and market vendors, while indirectly benefiting millions who rely on affordable clothing.
Mr Binkley added that the industry was not solely responsible for environmental degradation in the country, citing plastic pollution as a far more significant issue.
He argued that, rather than being harmful, the second-hand clothing industry has the potential to contribute to environmental solutions. “By focusing on recycling, repurposing, and upcycling, the trade can reduce the environmental burden while supporting sustainable development,” he noted.
He also suggested that collaborations between waste management initiatives and the second-hand clothing sector could lead to innovative approaches for reducing waste and improving environmental conditions.
In furtherance Mr Binkley accused the OR Foundation of undermining a vital sector of the economy under the guise of environmental justice, stating that the second-hand clothing trade recycles goods and provides affordable fashion.
The Association also urged the OR Foundation to be transparent about its intentions and to prioritise solutions that support both economic growth and environmental sustainability.

BY TIMES REPORTER