Zambian President to import Ghana’s fugu for his people after receiving one
President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema intends to import Ghana’s traditional smock, known locally as fugu or batakari, after receiving one as a gift during Mahama’s state visit.
The gesture follows online debates sparked by Zambian netizens who compared Mahama’s smock to a female blouse when he arrived in Lusaka on Wednesday, February 4, for a three-day state visit with his wife, Lordina Mahama.
The discussions have since generated global attention, giving the Ghanaian garment unprecedented visibility.
Speaking in an end-of-visit interview on Friday, February 6, President Mahama said the online buzz would help promote Ghana’s traditional attire.
“The smock weavers in Ghana will be very happy, because I, by power of social media, have given them branding and marketing that they couldn’t ever have dreamed of getting.
“I’m sure that by the time I leave here, the number of searches for fugu, batakari, and smock is going to be quite high, and it was just because of an innocuous statement,” he said.
Mahama explained that the smock is a cultural garment with historical significance, traditionally worn by kings, warriors, and was even worn by Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah, on the day of the country’s independence.
He further explained that promoting local clothing is part of his broader effort to support Ghanaian designers.
“One of the things that I have brought into my presidency is to promote the local garment industry. All my clothes are made in Ghana and designed by Ghanaian designers. It might even become an export item and create a new fashion trend,” he said.