By: Sarah Baafi
President John Dramani Mahama has highlighted cultural diplomacy and the promotion of Ghana’s local garment industry as key takeaways from his official state visit to Zambia. President Mahama noted that his appearance in a traditional Ghanaian smock, locally called Fugu or Batakari unexpectedly sparked a viral online discussion about the outfit.
Speaking in an end-of-visit interview, President Mahama expressed surprise that public attention focused on his attire during his arrival in Zambia, even though he had worn the same traditional smock on major global platforms, including , giving a major speech at the United Nations wearing Fugu.
“I wore the smock to the United Nations, the highest platform in the world, and I’m surprised that they didn’t notice it then,” he said. “It was only after wearing it on my arrival in Zambia that an innocuous comment on social media about what I was wearing triggered a firestorm.”
President Mahama said the unexpected attention had nonetheless created a major opportunity for Ghanaian weavers and designers, especially producers of Fugu and related garments.
“By the power of social media, we have given them branding and marketing that they could never have dreamed of,” he noted, adding that online searches for Fugu and other Ghanaian traditional wear had significantly increased.
As part of the visit, President Mahama and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema exchanged symbolic gifts. President Mahama received a traditional Zambian carving, which he said he would proudly display in his office, while he presented President Hichilema with a smock.
“He has indicated that he intends to order more and distribute them to his countrymen,” President Mahama revealed, suggesting that the garment could eventually become part of bilateral trade between Ghana and Zambia.
President Mahama stressed that promoting locally made clothing has been a deliberate policy choice throughout his presidency. He explained that all his official outfits are sewn by Ghanaian designers using locally produced fabrics.
“One of the things I have brought into my presidency is to promote the local garments industry. All my clothes are made in Ghana, sewn by Ghanaian designers, and that’s what I wear to work and official functions,” he said.
President Mahama also pointed to climate and practicality as reasons for embracing traditional attire, noting that lighter, breathable clothing is better suited to West Africa’s warmer climate.
“Our part of the continent is warmer, so we must adapt to clothes that keep us cool. It is more appropriate for me to dress like this than to wear a suit and tie in the hot sun,” he explained, highlighting the smock’s wide sleeves and ventilation as functional features.
He thanked Zambians for what he described as their unintended role in promoting Ghanaian culture and suggested that the Fugu could soon emerge as a new fashion trend across the region.
The state visit focused on strengthening diplomatic relations, cultural exchange, and economic cooperation between Ghana and Zambia, with President Mahama describing the trip as successful and mutually beneficial.
