Inspired to carve out his independence after the death of his mum, Buabeng Emmanuel established a start-up that upcycles grocery sacks and turns them into bags. From Ahinsan Bonsuom in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Buabeng tells us how his idea became a reality with the creation of Botto Upcycle Enterprise.
My story begins with my late mum’s sudden death in 2017. Her absence meant that I had to grow up quickly and fend for myself. After several failed attempts to secure a regular job, I started selling car dusters at the Kumasi Central Market.
Unfortunately for me, the duffle bag I used to carry my dusters wore out. I couldn’t afford a new one but challenged myself to create one by carefully examining the old version.
Botto means pocket or sack in Asante Twi.
I intuitively taught myself to use my mum’s vintage butterfly sewing machine and sewed my first bag. I was so excited about on its completion, despite some flaws.
For my second attempt, I designed a bag to carry my guitar to and from church. I almost nailed it but the crown of the guitar was a bit tight, so it meant every time I took the instrument out of the bag, I had to re-tune it.
Inspiration during lockdown
Fast forward to the lockdown in 2020 and that is when I started to reflect on how I could be of help to others and make a global impact.
I had run out of money and me eating the same food was my new normal. I was brought to my lowest but, it was when I aligned my prayer request with how impactful it will be on others and the environment, that’s when all my sustainability ideas started to unfold.
I started looking for materials to start a sustainable bag business after lockdown and three factors caught my eye.
1: Polypropylene woven sacks were readily available in Ghana. They are strong, lightweight, waterproof, non-biodegradable, and are considered to be non-toxic.
2: Fast fashion is still a global issue and Ghana remains at the receiving end of its environmental consequences. According to eco-age.com, Ghana’s Kantamanto Market in Accra is the largest second-hand clothing market in West Africa.
The second-hand clothing business has been in existence long before I was born and has transformed lives of many ordinary Ghanaians including my late mum. The sad reality is that, a chunk of those that are not marketable are ill-disposed. And so, I decided to work with second-hand fabric to give the material a second chance to circulate.
3: Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) sheets are the rubber padding I use to form the framework of my bags. They are resistant to oil, ultra violet rays, heat and waterproof. They are flexible to work with and also form the framework of my bags. I also work with pieces of discarded leather and other polymers to create my bags.
My business model is grounded on sustainability and all the materials I use are locally sourced and are in line with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) 11 and 12. Goal 11 is to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, while goal 12 is to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
I do a lot of online research on YouTube to improve my skills and adapt to the best sewing practices.
Botto translates to sack or pocket in Asante Twi and I make all kinds of bags including those for school children, bags for women and I am developing a bag with wheels.
I recently got two samples approved by my former primary school – Mount Zion International School. The school wants me to make more to be distributed to outstanding students and to teachers at the school’s upcoming speech and prizegiving day.
The primary school has 400 children and the junior high will 270.
During my last meeting with their administrator, I was asked to design an all-in-one bag that can contain books, a lunch bowl and water bottle for pupils. This has become prerequisite for most primary and junior high schools in Ghana.
If my upcycle model proves successful, it will mean that most schools will require my service and I might even have a nationwide impact.
I am also working on training young people interested in the profession and work with 14-year-old junior apprentice called Richard Kwaku Amofa.
I know and believe that God made this planet for our existence and so, we must prioritise it protection.
To find out more about Botto Upcycle Enterprise, visit them on Facebook here.
Interested in how Ghana and Ghanaians are promoting green ideals in their work? Check out our fourth issue ‘Green Ghana’ here.
AKADi Magazine 