Obroni Wawu, Bibinii di N’akyi
The rapid rise of fast fashion has led to a global surge in textile waste, with an estimated 92 MILLION TONNES discarded annually
And this figure is projected to double by 2030.
This overconsumption severely impacts countries like Ghana down the line, where we import approximately 15 million garments WEEKLY, many of which end up polluting beaches and waterways.
In Accra, some local designers and organizations are combating this issue by upcycling discarded materials into new fashion items. Events like Obroni Wawu festival showcase these innovations turning textile waste into reusable fashion. This movement not only addresses environmental concerns but also revitalizes traditional craftsmanship, promoting sustainable, eco-friendly clothing.
As positive as this initiative is, it is like mopping a flooded floor with the tap still running.
Can we fathom the magnitude of recycling we need to be doing to net zero the waste being churned out? With a rate like 15 million new imports weekly? This question is not to dismiss efforts, but to highlight that we need more hands and more muscles to hold up.
Referencing the first Jurassic World movie, “we need more teeth.”
Empowering ourselves from childhood with compulsory skills through formal and informal education to create and mend our own clothing is crucial. By reducing reliance on mass-produced apparel, we can decrease our demand that fuels this excessive waste and its consequent impact.
The environmental burden disproportionately affects countries in the global south, like Ghana, which bear the brunt of pollution despite our minimal contributions to the problem.
Meanwhile, the major fashion corporations churning out these mass produced textiles continue to profit without taking responsibility of the aftermath. They do not care if our beaches and marine life are choking under all this waste. They do not care that the plastic additives to clothes from fossil fuels are causing havoc in our ocean, the most underrated resource that keeps all of us alive through the natural cycles happening within it and above it.
This disparity underscores the need to support independent, sustainable local clothing production for everything - from underwear to hair ribbons - over wastefully mass-produced imports harming marine life at our beaches and caking into our sands. The need for indie, localized industry taking back production from corporations is a matter of underrated importance for the country. The problem extends into health and economy.
By championing local artisanship and embracing slow fashion through state policies to make them competitive for the budget of locals;
and through accessible artisanal education to establish more skill density to an affordable local fashion industry, we can foster a more sustainable future that respects our planet and elevates our diverse cultures and creativity.
Speak for the indie industry.
Indie fashion should become mainstream. It shouldn't be just a wish or hope. Let's put heads together and draw the attention of relevant stakeholders in the space that we are acquainted with.
Besides the fact that heaps of textile waste end up on our beaches, most of these imported clothing have petroleum sourced plastic mixed into them and these take hundreds of years to degrade when they are left in our environment, releasing micro and nano plastics after weathering into our water and food sources.
We don't make the clothing from these brands, yet we end up suffering with plastics ending up in our bodies, studies showing that micro and nano plastics are being detected in human brains and even in human testicles.
And when these plastics enter the body, they can't get removed.
As ranted in the previous dose, cash out focused behaviour is poisoning our existence; our water, land and our forests getting destroyed unchecked locally by Galamsey.
And from the outside, we are also importing poisons with fast fashion.
Capitalism is the destruction of humanity.
What comments do you have on this? How can we shift from reliance on foreign fast fashion industries to locally made industry as the more attractive option for the average Ghanaian? What do you think we should do?
Leave your comments at the bottom of the post. You can stay anonymous.
Here are our features for the week:
Soko Bags
Soko Bags is a Ghanaian manufacturing company specializing in eco-friendly, reusable bags made from 100% cotton and jute. Founded in 2022 by Yaa Priscilla Birago and Bennet Nyarko, Soko Bags addresses Ghana's plastic waste crisis by providing sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic bags. Their products are durable, washable, and customizable, catering to various utility as well as accessorial needs such as shopping, work, school, and events.
Beyond environmental sustainability, Soko Bags is committed to empowering women by creating job opportunities within the local community. The company operates from Ofankor, specifically Teiku Tsuru Avenue and has been recognized for its innovative approach, joining initiatives like the Orange Corners Ghana Accelerator – Cohort 10.
Through their efforts, Soko Bags aims to reduce plastic waste, promote sustainable practices, and contribute positively to Ghana's socio-economic development.
Support the initiative to phase out dependence on single use plastics by getting your very own Soko bag(s).
For bulk customization and/or wholesale enquiries, call or
WhatsApp Soko Bags on
0257882260.
Zion Boutiq
Zion Boutiq is a brand that specializes in handcrafted rattan and bamboo bags, showcasing their products on
Instagram and
Facebook.
Their collection features a variety of artisanal bags, reflecting traditional craftsmanship and natural materials. Their brand offers unique designs that appeal to those seeking eco-friendly accessories. Through their Instagram profile, Zion Boutiq provides followers with visual insights into their product range, craftsmanship process, and styling ideas.
You can find Zion Boutiq at Spintex Shell Bus Stop, Jobyco Hotel Junction, Accra.
There are other products in their catalogue. You can check them out
HERE:
To contact Zion Boutiq directly, call or
WhatsApp on 0504625466.
Onyxx Threads
Onyxx Threads is the brand of Yemi, a talented Ghanaian crochet artist known for her intricate tapestry crochet designs. She shares her creations and tutorials on her
YouTube, where she showcases her passion for crochet.
Subscribe to Onyxx Threads on
YouTube for Yemi's crochet tutorials.
Support indie talent when you see it:)
ABOUT MORINGA CORE
MoringaCore is the blog subsidiary of Fofolɛfo on a mission to spotlight small-scale businesses, solopreneurs and independent artisans.
Every week, we release a DOSE: a post featuring a set of incredible indie businesses & brands to boost their visibility.
- If you love discovering products & services from indie & sustainable brands and businesses, check out ALL our doses thus far
HERE:
Your support helps these businesses thrive. Let us know what you think as well in the comments below.
- Are you interested in your business or brand getting featured for free? Let’s connect. Click the form link below to apply. If there's a brand or business you admire, refer them to connect with us via application as well
HERE
- Contribute to supporting local & small businesses and artisans by reading Moringa Core and sharing our weekly doses to your friends, family, acquaintances and audience. Their customers may be around you.
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