REMODELLING OF SECONDHAND CLOTHES IN KANTAMATO MARKET: THE CASE OF MEN TROUSERS AND SHIRTS

ABSTRACT The study was to investigate the production and sales operations of remodelled clothes made from secondhand men trousers and shirts in Kantamanto market, Accra. Case study method was adopted to guide the entire study. Purposive, snowball and quota techniques were used to sample fifty (50) respondents for the study. Interview guide and observational checklist were the main tools used for data collection. The collected data was analysed qualitatively. The results from the study had evidently shown that the demographic characteristics of respondents had influence on their decision to engage in the remodelling business. However, factors such as the quest of meeting prevailing fashion, quality/attractiveness of the fabrics, easy re-styling and high demand/patronage of remodelled clothes led to the remodelling of the secondhand men trousers and shirts. It was unanimously stated and evidently observed that the traders/producers follow some garment production steps or process in their production. However, these steps were not up to standard as those used in the garment manufacturing factories. It was therefore recommended that government should be flexible with laws regulating the operation of secondhand clothing trade so as to sustain respondents in the business. Moreover, there should be public education on the benefits of remodelling business, by the Public Education Units in collaboration with Secondhand Clothes Trade Unions in Kantamanto, and the media for individuals to accept the use of such clothes. This will in turn boost the remodelling business which will turn to create more avenues of job opportunities for self-employment for the youth who are unemployed to try venturing into the business