It is popular knowledge in Ghana, West Africa, for most prospective international travelers to go to Kantamanto for second-hand items to beat costs and still be in the position to get what they need to travel with. Commonly, prospective travelers will pick second-hand bags, coats or jackets, hand gloves, hats, dresses, and shoes. These are very affordable, and one gets it at a competitive bargained price but usually never below the cost price from the primary owner. It is a good business in Ghana to deal in second-hand materials.
When one gets to the Kantamanto market, one can be directed to those who have specialized to give customers the best for their money in all aspects of what they need to travel with. Some of these people might have never traveled outside the shores of Ghana but can tell you the kind of clothing you need depending on the season and when you are to arrive. Those who are under training are likely to overdo this and get it wrong sometimes. I remember one story where the seller insisted that carry-on luggage can never be collected for check-in at the boarding gate. He was purely educating buyers on the accounts of what he has heard.
On one of my travels, I checked the expected temperature of the destination a day before the trip only to find out that it was going to be a cold weather, about half of the temperature I could not bear in Ghana. I then decided to get some winter clothing and possibly a carry-on bag while in the Capital city to catch the international flight.
I needed no one to direct me to Kantamanto if I wanted quality designer second-hand clothing at affordable prices. I went for a coat, hand gloves, a tracksuit, and a carry-on bag with wheels that could move in all directions. The time could not allowed to properly clean these items before use.
I checked in my regular bag and went on board with the gloves, coat, and the traveling bag I bought from Kantamanto. Prior to check-in, I was asked if someone assisted me to pack my things in the bag or whether I was given a gift to be sent to anyone in the Country of my destination. I responded in the affirmative that I was responsible for my luggage and all I carried. What I think could have helped was to declare the items I bought from Kantamanto especially the fact that I could not have time to clean them before using them.
When we arrived and were going through security checks, I had the coat and hand gloves on for the very reason I bought them. The weather was cold. Randomly, I was picked up for my fingerprints and to be screened. In the room, my fingers indicated I had some substances on my fingers similar to contraband goods. Further checks revealed that the hand gloves were infused with a high amount of that substance suspected to be cocaine. What made matters worse was that the security checks identified a fingerprint that matched a suspect they were looking for in connection with a murder some time ago. I was to answer for how I was carrying the gloves with fingerprints that matched a suspected murderer they are hunting for. Even though I can explain it, It makes me an accomplice in the murder case and till the suspect whose details I am associated with is found, I might not be left off the hook.
I was not given clearance to continue my journey and was kept for further investigations and prosecution.
Though I got some second-hand clothing at very affordable prices, I am in the dock for a trial I knew nothing about. It could end up with me in jail. Such could be your case, so watch the second-hand items you buy and how to treat them before use.
Disclaimer: This is fiction and does not reflect on the person of any real story.