Textile Waste as a Contributor to Flood Occurrence in Ghana: Evidence from the June 2026 Accra Floods and the Kantamanto Market

Abstract This study investigates the systemic contribution of secondhand textile waste to urban drainage failure and recurring flood disasters in Accra, Ghana, with specific empirical focus on the severe flooding events of June 2026. While extreme meteorological conditions trigger major flash floods, the structural blockages caused by non-biodegradable synthetic garments originating from Kantamanto Market significantly reduce drainage capacity. Unlike rigid plastics or loose silt, textile waste forms dense, interwoven mats that lock debris in primary storm channels, including the Odaw River basin and Agbogbloshie drainage conduits. Through a critical synthesis of meteorological observations, municipal waste logistics, and site-level mechanism analysis, this paper highlights how global secondhand garment imports compound local environmental vulnerability. Finally, the paper demonstrates how creative upcycling specifically converting discarded textiles into high-fashion stage wear via the KNNOOVEL ENTERPRISE business model serves as an actionable circular economy solution that simultaneously reduces flood risk and creates sustainable urban employment.