Ghana has designated every Wednesday as a day to wear the country's traditional outfit, the fugu, in a bid to promote cultural pride just days after it became a topic of online contention with Zambians. The garment gained prominence last week when President John Dramani Mahama wore it on a state visit to Zambia, where some mockingly referred to it as a 'blouse'. This prompted a defensive response from Ghanaians online, sparking a national conversation about the importance of the outfit.
Ghana's Minister for Tourism, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, stated that adopting the fugu on a weekly basis would help project the nation’s identity with pride on a global scale. She encouraged the public to wear the outfit in its various forms, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a unique cultural representation.
The fugu, also known as batakari, is a traditional northern Ghanaian garment made from hand-woven cotton fabric. The effort to promote the fugu is expected to yield social and economic benefits, particularly benefiting local artisans and the creative economy. Minister Gomashie highlighted that this initiative could strengthen national unity and serve as a powerful symbol of Ghanaian cultural confidence.
The fugu has trended on social media following the light-hearted banter between Ghanaians and Zambians, with Ghanaians showcasing their fugus and Zambians flaunting their traditional sizibas. The exchange even caught the attention of Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, who expressed interest in ordering fugus from Ghana. President Mahama suggested not only celebrating the garment but also exporting it in bulk to Zambia, linking it to Ghana’s cultural heritage and its historical significance dating back to Independence Day in 1957.
Ghana's Minister for Tourism, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, stated that adopting the fugu on a weekly basis would help project the nation’s identity with pride on a global scale. She encouraged the public to wear the outfit in its various forms, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a unique cultural representation.
The fugu, also known as batakari, is a traditional northern Ghanaian garment made from hand-woven cotton fabric. The effort to promote the fugu is expected to yield social and economic benefits, particularly benefiting local artisans and the creative economy. Minister Gomashie highlighted that this initiative could strengthen national unity and serve as a powerful symbol of Ghanaian cultural confidence.
The fugu has trended on social media following the light-hearted banter between Ghanaians and Zambians, with Ghanaians showcasing their fugus and Zambians flaunting their traditional sizibas. The exchange even caught the attention of Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, who expressed interest in ordering fugus from Ghana. President Mahama suggested not only celebrating the garment but also exporting it in bulk to Zambia, linking it to Ghana’s cultural heritage and its historical significance dating back to Independence Day in 1957.
