After successfully launching its new line of footwear made from recycled materials, Mckingtorch Africa through the support of Total Petroleum has opened a pop-up shop to create a convenient walk-in shopping experience for customers and supporters.
The launch, which took place on Monday, 27 th July 2020, was held at the 37 Total Fuel Service Station, adjacent the Golden Tulip Hotel where the managing director of Total officially handed over a Sunshine Solar Kiosk for the company to exhibit the Mckingtorch Footwear for 30 days. The launch commenced at 2pm and was graced by very august guests including the Managing Director of Total Ghana, Mr. Eric Fanchini. Other guests included the sales and marketing manager for Total Ghana, the Communications Manager Mrs. Linda Andoh, the communication team and a representative of the Ghana Climate Innovation Center (GCIC) a World Bank Group and Netherlands Government-sponsored green business incubator program of which Mckingtorch Africa CEO is a 2019 alumnus.
The CEO, Makafui Awuku, in his speech introduced the Mckingtorch footwear and spoke about what went into the innovation, the influence of Total Ghana and the Ghana Climate Innovation Centre. He spoke about the experiments the team had conducted in the past two and a half years in an attempt to turn plastic waste into beautiful, durable and useful products. Mckingtorch Africa was part the Total Petroleum Startupper Challenge in 2019 and made it to the final 16 from out of 1200 applications.
Mr Awuku also spoke about how Mckingtorch Africa had maintained a relationship with Total Ghana even after the challenge ended and kept updating the company on the progress of the Mckingtorch projects. Total Ghana decided to support the Mckingtorch Footwear project through the provision of and branding of the pop-up shop to be used for marketing of the footwear made partly from recycled plastic waste from the streets of Accra. He also thanked the GCIC for its continued mentorship and support given to Mckingtorch Africa.
Mr Awuku introduced the launched footwear and other products available such as purses, laptop bags, pencil cases, cross bags, reusable shopping bags, and pouches all made from plastic waste pure water bags and a centerpiece made from car tires.
As Mr Awuku explained, the sourcing of the raw materials is sustainable, as Mckingtorch Africa has embarked on a plastic waste buy-back programme by purchasing plastic waste from locals creating indirect jobs and wealth for the youth. The waste materials […]