How to donate furniture in Ghana without paying for a truck

Furniture is the hardest thing to give away. It is too big for a trotro, too good for the rubbish, and most charities have no way of collecting it. So sofas, beds and wardrobes sit in corridors and store rooms for months while their owners wonder what to do with them.

This guide covers how to donate furniture in Ghana: who takes it, how to list it so it goes quickly, how to handle transport, and what to do when a piece is genuinely beyond saving.

The real problem is transport

Almost every piece of furniture that fails to find a new home fails for the same reason: nobody worked out how it would move.

The simplest fix is to be clear from the start that the person collecting arranges and pays for the transport. In practice that usually means an aboboyaa for smaller pieces, or a pickup truck hired for an hour or two for a bed or a wardrobe. Most people who want a free sofa are happy with that arrangement. What puts them off is uncertainty.

If you are able to help — carrying something down the stairs, or having it waiting at the gate — say so. It makes a real difference.

Who takes donated furniture

People nearby

The quickest route is usually to give furniture directly to someone who needs it. On Givny, you list the piece with photos and measurements, people near you request it, and you choose who receives it. Because the person collecting has asked for that specific item, they arrive ready to move it.

Churches, schools and children's homes

Desks, chairs, shelves, beds and tables can be very useful to schools, churches and children's homes. Call first. Many have little storage space, and few can collect, so check both whether they need the item and whether they can move it.

Students and new renters

People setting up a first room or a first flat need everything at once. A bed, a table and two chairs can furnish a student's room completely.

Carpenters

A solid wooden piece that is broken can still be valuable to a carpenter, as something to repair or as material. It is worth asking one near you.

What furniture is worth giving away

Not everything is worth listing. These pieces tend to go quickly:

• Solid wood furniture. Tables, chairs, wardrobes and bed frames that can be sanded and re-varnished
• Plastic chairs and tables. Endlessly useful and easy to move
• Beds and bed frames. Especially with the fittings kept together
• Office chairs and desks. In demand from students and people working from home
• Shelving and cabinets. Useful in almost any home or shop
• Appliances that work. Fridges, freezers, cookers and fans

A note on mattresses

Used mattresses are the item people are most cautious about, and understandably. If a mattress is clean, unstained, dry and free of bed bugs, it can still be very welcome. Say so honestly in the listing. If it is not, it should not be given away.

How to list furniture so it goes quickly

A good listing answers every question before anyone has to ask it.

1. Measurements. The first question is always whether it will fit. Give height, width and depth.
2. Photos in daylight. From the front and the side, including any damage.
3. Honest condition. A wobbly leg or a scratched top is fine if you say so. Surprises are not.
4. Where it is, and which floor. "Third floor, no lift" changes someone's plans.
5. When it can be collected. Give a window, especially if you are moving out.
6. Who handles transport. Say clearly that the collector arranges it.

Getting it out of the house

• Dismantle it first. Take beds and wardrobes apart the day before, and keep screws and fittings in a labelled bag taped to the piece.
• Clear the route. Move rugs and anything fragile out of the way.
• Have someone with you when the collector arrives, especially for large items.
• Do not carry heavy furniture alone. It is not worth the injury.

When a piece is genuinely broken

Not every piece can be given away as it is.

• Repair it. There are carpenters in almost every neighbourhood, and a lot of "broken" furniture needs an hour's work. Ghana has a long habit of repairing things that is worth leaning on.
• Give it for parts. A broken wardrobe may have good doors or shelves.
• Dispose of it properly. Ask your waste collector whether they take bulky items rather than leaving it on the roadside.

Frequently asked questions

Will anyone collect furniture for free in Accra?

Yes, if you are clear that the collector arranges the transport. Individuals looking for furniture are usually happy to organise an aboboyaa or a pickup. Most charities, however, cannot collect.

Should I donate or sell used furniture?

If a piece is valuable and you have time, selling can be worth it. If you need it gone quickly, or it is worth little on the second-hand market, giving it away is faster and far less stressful.

Can I donate a used mattress in Ghana?

Only if it is clean, dry, unstained and free of bed bugs, and you describe it honestly. Many organisations will not accept used mattresses at all, so individuals are usually a better fit.

What should I do with furniture when moving abroad?

Start early, and give yourself time to sell the valuable pieces and give away the rest. Our guide for people relocating abroad from Ghana includes a week-by-week timeline.

---

Got a sofa, bed or table you no longer need? List it on Givny and someone nearby will come and collect it.