Mayor of Accra commends Ghana-built textile recycling technology at The or Foundation

Story by: Regina Bless

The Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has commended The Or Foundation for its innovative use of locally designed and manufactured technology to transform discarded textiles into reusable materials.

The Mayor made the remarks during a working visit to the Foundation’s Material Technology and Transformation Lab behind Kantamanto Market, where he toured facilities dedicated to textile recovery, sorting, shredding and processing.

Hon. Allotey described the work at the facility as impressive, particularly the development of practical solutions to Accra’s growing textile waste challenge using equipment largely designed and built in Ghana.

He noted that the initiative demonstrates how locally developed technology can contribute to waste reduction, environmental protection, skills development and job creation. He also reaffirmed his commitment to returning to the facility for a more detailed assessment of its operations.

Briefing the Mayor, Process Development Specialist at The Or Foundation, Emmanuella Mensah, explained that the facility uses biological and mechanical processes to transform textile waste through projects including the Cassava Board and T-shirt Yarn initiatives.

She said selected unwanted T-shirts are purchased directly from traders at Kantamanto to help them recover part of the losses incurred from unsold clothing. The materials are subsequently sorted according to colour, fibre content and garment construction before being processed.

According to Ms. Mensah, materials for the Cassava Board project are packed in batches before undergoing shredding and granulation, while suitable seamless T-shirts are separated for the production of continuous yarn.

She further revealed that one of the facility’s major shredders was designed by Ghanaian engineers and built locally, with a significant proportion of its components recovered from discarded materials.

During the tour, the Mayor was also shown products made from transformed textile materials, alongside work produced by apprentices who have acquired practical skills in fabrication, carpentry, welding and other technical areas through the Foundation’s programmes.

The visit highlighted the growing potential for locally developed technology and skills training to support sustainable waste management while creating economic opportunities for young people and communities in Accra.