McKingtorch Africa Inspires Next Generation with Plastic-to-Product Solutions

Genevieve Mensah / September 22, 2025

Makafui Awuku, Founder of McKingtorch Africa, is tackling Ghana’s plastic waste challenge head-on by transforming discarded pure water sachets and bottles into functional furniture and home décor. Speaking on Ghana Grows Edwuma with host Araba Koomson, Mr. Awuku revealed that his journey began in November 2017 while interning with an NGO. Disturbed by the sight of plastics left behind after meetings, he asked the cleaners to collect them, not knowing what to do next. “There are two types of artists. Some start with concepts, but I start with the material. I look at it, then decide what can be created. That’s how I made my first Christmas tree from plastic bottles,” he said. The experiment soon gained public attention when he displayed the tree on a busy street in Madina, drawing thousands of curious onlookers. His work later caught global interest, eventually earning him an invitation to showcase his creations before the then-Prince of Wales. Mr. Awuku admitted the journey has not been without challenges. From public resistance to buying products made from waste to limited funding opportunities, he noted that perseverance has been his greatest tool. “The most successful projects are not the ones with the best idea. They are the ones that stayed the course,” he explained. Beyond creating furniture, McKingtorch Africa is also empowering the next generation. The McKingtorch Africa founder has trained more than 15,000 young people across Ghana, Nigeria, and Liberia, while also supporting women in Zambia and Zimbabwe in establishing branches of the initiative. He urged young entrepreneurs to register their projects, seek training, and most importantly, believe in their own vision. “I realized that the future I wanted was one without pollution. Nobody was going to create it for me. I had to start,” he said. About Ghana Grows EdwumaGhana Grows Edwuma is a nationwide broadcast aired on TV and radio, aimed at encouraging young people to take up career opportunities in the agribusiness, agriculture, and ATVET sectors. By Faustina Yeboah

Turning Waste Fabric into Stuffed Toys: MBA Mode’s Innovative Path

Theresa Maame Baduba Ansah, Founder of MBA Mode, a fashion design institute in Adenta, Accra, is transforming Ghana’s waste fabric problem into an economic opportunity by creating stuffed dolls and other products from discarded textiles. Speaking on Ghana Grows Edwuma, with host Araba Koomson, she explained that the idea was born during the COVID-19 pandemic. With her fashion school shut down, she began experimenting with fabric scraps that would have otherwise been discarded. “There were children at home, schools were closed, and we had leftover fabric pieces. That became the inspiration,” she said. The founder, who originally trained as an accountant before venturing into fashion, has since expanded her work to train apprentices and integrate waste-to-product innovation into her institute’s curriculum. She highlighted the difference between upcycling and recycling, explaining, “Upcycling means I can take this piece and directly turn it into a product without breaking it down. Recycling, on the other hand, requires breaking it down before producing something new.” She emphasized the environmental impact of her work, citing worrying figures about waste generation in Ghana. “Every day, over 12,000 tons of waste are produced. Between 2022 and 2029, it is estimated to rise to 16,000 to 20,000 tons daily,” she noted. “Just like an animal kingdom with different species, I want to build a place where you will find all kinds of stuffed animals,” she explained. Madam Theresa urged young entrepreneurs to take initiative. “You cannot sit for somebody to feed you. Create an environment for yourself. Start with what you have, I started in my living room,” she said. About Ghana Grows EdwumaGhana Grows Edwuma is a nationwide broadcast aired on TV and radio, aimed at encouraging young people to take up career opportunities in the agribusiness, agriculture, and ATVET sectors. By Faustina Yeboah