By: Hannah Dadzie
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, says Ghana is witnessing a surge in international demand for its traditional fugu fabric, with several foreign ministers requesting customised pieces in their national colours.
According to the Minister, the growing interest in the northern Ghanaian smock has become so significant that he has been invited to make a presentation on fugu at an upcoming meeting of foreign ministers.
“The fugu is in such high demand that virtually all the foreign ministers have asked that I do a presentation to them at the next meeting. If I knew it would be in such demand, I would have come with truckloads of fugus,” he said
Speaking on the sidelines of the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mr. Ablakwa disclosed that ECOWAS foreign ministers have also tasked him to provide specially designed fugus in their respective national colours at the next ECOWAS meeting. He indicated that the initiative will be extended beyond foreign ministers to include African presidents.
As part of efforts to harness the momentum, Ghana will next month participate in a major fugu and kente trade exhibition in Zambia. The Minister said Zambian authorities have allocated the country their largest trade exhibition centre to showcase Ghanaian textiles.
“My counterpart keeps calling me, asking where they can find the fugu. We connected them to delivery companies, but they say the quantity is not enough. So we are going to have a huge trade fair there,” he explained.
Mr. Ablakwa has also directed Ghana’s ambassadors and high commissioners to organise fugu and kente fairs as part of this year’s Independence Day celebrations on March 6, describing the initiative as a strategic move to advance Ghana’s economic diplomacy.
“It’s good for economic diplomacy. We should promote Made in Ghana and expose our fabrics and beautiful cultures to other people. All of this is marketing Ghana and showing the beauty of Ghana,” he said.
The Minister noted that what initially began as social media commentary aimed at teasing Ghana has unexpectedly transformed into a powerful global marketing opportunity for the country’s textile industry.
“If we were to pay marketing or branding firms for this level of publicity, I don’t think the state could afford the bills they would bring,” he added.
Mr. Ablakwa was confident that the international spotlight on fugu and kente will create opportunities for young entrepreneurs, particularly weavers, to expand production and tap into new export markets.
