The Waste Afterlife Art Movement (WAAM) used the first anniversary celebration of the Reclaim Textile Network (RTN) at the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) complex to spotlight growing efforts to turn textile waste into creative and commercial value, while also underscoring gaps in technical execution among emerging designers.
The gathering, attended by members including Beatrice ‘Bee’ Arthur founder of WAAM, Dr Christiana Okai-Mensah, Jessica Nguema, Obed Addo, Dr William Senayah, Geez and Knii FioFio, included an outdoor exhibition featuring garments and accessories produced by students and participating schools under RTN.
Participants described the exhibition as a practical demonstration of rising interest among students in reclaiming and repurposing textile waste, a segment increasingly linked to broader sustainability and circular economy discussions in Ghana’s creative sector.
However, WAAM members noted that while the work reflected strong imagination, many of the pieces fell short on finishing and technical precision. The group said this highlights a structural need for deeper mentorship, materials training, and technical refinement if upcycled textile work is to move from experimental art to scalable production.
The event also served as a networking platform between artists and academia. Dr William Senayah introduced participants to Prof Ebenezer Howard, Vice Dean of the Fine Art Department at KNUST, who extended an invitation for WAAM to take part in a conference scheduled for 25 June, opening the door for wider institutional engagement between universities and creative practitioners.
Separately, discussions among members explored potential public-facing environmental projects. Ideas ranged from a textile-themed street intervention near the National Museum to an ephemeral installation in a scrapyard setting involving collaborators such as Esi Ansah, Jeffrey Yeboah and Bridget Adabe. The proposals are aimed at aligning creative practice with environmental advocacy ahead of World Environment Day activities.
WAAM further reflected on the public reception of its previous exhibition, Echoes of the Landfill, noting continued interest from visitors and cultural institutions. Organisers said the response reinforces the role of art-based interventions in sustaining public attention on waste management and environmental responsibility in Ghana’s urban centres.
The group is expected to consolidate proposals in the coming weeks as it weighs collaborative programming for mid-year environmental events and academic engagements.
