How to donate clothes in Accra, and make sure they're actually worn

Most homes in Accra have a bag of clothes somewhere, waiting to be given away. A shirt that no longer fits, a uniform a child has outgrown, a dress worn to one wedding. Deciding to donate clothes is the easy part. Knowing where to take them, so they are actually worn rather than dumped, is harder.

This guide covers where to donate clothes in Accra, what is worth giving, how to prepare it, and how to make sure your donation helps rather than adding to a waste problem the city already has.

Why it matters where your clothes end up

Accra already handles an enormous volume of second-hand clothing. Kantamanto market, in the centre of the city, is one of the largest second-hand clothing markets in the world. Traders there buy imported bales without knowing exactly what is inside, and a large share of what arrives is too damaged to sell. Much of it ends up as waste — in dumpsites, in drains and along the coastline.

That changes how to think about donating. A bag of stained or torn clothes handed to a charity does not become a donation. It becomes someone else's disposal problem.

The most useful clothes donation is the one that goes straight to a person who wants that specific item, in that size, now.

Where to donate clothes in Accra

Directly to someone nearby

The most efficient route is to give to a specific person. On Givny, you list the clothes with a photo, the size and the condition, and people near you request them. You choose who receives them and agree a pickup. Because every item is matched to someone who asked for it, nothing is handed over only to be thrown away.

It is free to use, and it works just as well for a single school uniform as for a whole wardrobe.

Churches and mosques

Many congregations run welfare committees, harvest collections or support for members going through a difficult time. Ask the welfare committee what they need before you bring anything. Very often it is children's clothes and school uniforms rather than adult fashion.

Children's homes and shelters

Always call first. Homes are frequently given more used clothing than they can use, and not always in usable condition. Our guide on how to donate to an orphanage in Ghana covers what to ask and how to check a home is registered.

Schools

Outgrown uniforms are most useful to families at the same school. Ask the head teacher or the PTA whether they keep a uniform exchange. Many parents would gladly take a clean uniform with a term or two of wear left in it.

Maternity wards and clinics

Some maternity wards and clinics accept newborn clothes and wrappers for mothers who arrive with little. Call the ward first and ask what they can accept.

What to donate, and what to keep back

A simple rule works well: only donate what you would be comfortable handing to a neighbour in person.

Clothes that are usually welcome:

• Clean, wearable everyday clothes
• Children's clothes, which are outgrown long before they wear out
• School uniforms, labelled with the school if you know it
• Shoes in pairs, with plenty of wear left
• Work clothes — shirts, trousers and smart shoes that someone can wear to an interview
• Good-quality cloth, kaba and smocks that you no longer wear

Clothes to keep back:

• Anything torn, stained or heavily faded
• Used underwear
• Single shoes or odd socks
• Clothes with broken zips, unless you mention it clearly

Items that need a small repair — a loose button, a dropped hem — are still worth giving if you say so. A tailor can fix most of these in minutes.

How to prepare clothes before you donate

A little preparation makes the difference between clothes that are used the same day and clothes that sit in a corner.

1. Wash and dry everything fully. Clothes packed damp go mouldy quickly in our humidity.
2. Check the pockets. Receipts, money and ID cards turn up more often than you would think.
3. Sort by type and size. "Boys, age 6 to 8" is far more useful than a mixed bag.
4. Fold rather than stuff. Folded clothes are easier to check and look like a gift rather than a clear-out.
5. Pair and tie shoes together so they do not get separated.
6. Photograph them if you are listing online, in daylight, laid flat.

How to give clothes away on Givny

1. Create a free account and confirm your area.
2. Add a listing. One listing per bundle — for example, "Girls' clothes, age 3 to 5, 10 pieces" — works better than ten separate listings.
3. Add clear photos and describe the sizes and condition honestly.
4. People nearby request it. You choose who receives it.
5. Agree a time and place to hand it over.

Our guide on staying safe when meeting someone from a listing is worth a read before your first handover.

What to do with clothes nobody can wear

Some clothes are past giving away. They still do not need to go in the bin.

• Cleaning cloths. Old cotton T-shirts make excellent rags.
• Tailors and seamstresses sometimes take cotton offcuts for patching and stuffing.
• Craft and school projects can use fabric scraps.

Only what truly cannot be reused should go out with the rubbish.

Frequently asked questions

Is it better to donate or sell used clothes in Accra?

If the clothes are good quality and you have the time, selling can make sense. For everyday clothes, giving them away is usually faster, easier and puts them to use sooner. Many people sell a few valuable pieces and give the rest away.

Can I donate clothes that need small repairs?

Yes, as long as you say so. A missing button or a small tear is easily fixed. Heavy damage is a different matter — those clothes are better turned into cleaning cloths.

Do charities in Accra collect clothes from your home?

Some do, but many small organisations have no transport. Ask when you call. Giving directly to someone nearby avoids the problem, because the person receiving the clothes arranges the collection.

When is the best time to donate clothes?

Just before a new school term is ideal for uniforms, school shoes and children's clothes. The weeks before Christmas and Eid are also a good time, when many families are looking for something new to wear.

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Have clothes you no longer wear? List them on Givny and they will go to someone nearby who asked for them — free, with nothing wasted.