Copyright pulse
Rawlings Park was bursting with color, creativity, and community spirit as Kantamanto Market and Ghana’s vibrant thrift and upcycling community came together to celebrate OWO Day 2025, the grand finale of Obroni Wawu October (OWO). Now in its fourth year, OWO Day has become a cornerstone event in Accra’s cultural calendar, honoring the innovation, strength, and artistry of the people who power one of the world’s most dynamic secondhand economies. This year’s theme, “Kantamanto! — a celebration of the community's strength and resolve,” captured the spirit of a market rising from the fire in unity and growth, ready to lead as a global hub for textile circularity. Obroni Wawu October (OWO) is more than a festival. It is a celebration of Kantamanto’s culture of innovation and creativity, an acknowledgment of the market as a globally leading hub for reuse, repair, upcycling, and remanufacturing. It serves as a bridge between Kantamanto and Accra’s thriving online thrift scene, building community and solidarity across the city. At its heart, OWO exists to celebrate the skills and talent of Kantamanto’s workers while creating spaces for education, empowerment, and joy. The movement envisions a future where Kantamanto is recognized and empowered as a cultural landmark for creativity in circularity.
