By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, says his choice to wear Ghana’s traditional smock, popularly known as fugu or batakari, on international stages has given local weavers and designers global exposure.
According to him, his choice to wear such traditional attire has unexpectedly given local weavers and designers global exposure they could never have imagined.
Speaking in an interview with the media after his state visit to Zambia, touching on the social media attention sparked by his attire during the visit, President Mahama said what began as a casual online comment quickly turned into a powerful moment for Ghana’s cultural and creative industries.
He believes the attention has translated into massive publicity for Ghanaian smock weavers. “By the power of social media, I have given them branding and marketing they could never have dreamed of. I’m sure searches for fugu, batakari, and smock have gone very high,” he said.
President Mahama described the garment as a product of local industry and a deeply rooted symbol of Ghanaian culture, once worn by kings, royalty, and warriors.
He explained that the smock carries historical and spiritual significance, noting that warriors believed the attire offered protection in battle, adding that the garment holds a special place in Ghana’s national history, recalling that Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah and other independence leaders wore smocks on the day Ghana gained independence.
President Mahama said he has long worn the smock at major events, including a widely discussed speech last September, but it was a remark during his arrival in Zambia that ignited a social media storm.
The President also recounted a light-hearted cultural exchange with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, during which the two leaders exchanged gifts. Mahama presented President Hichilema with a smock similar to the one he was wearing, after receiving a Zambian carving in return.
“He told me he would order more and distribute them to his countrymen,” Mahama said.
Beyond the moment, President Mahama stressed that his fashion choices are deliberate and rooted in supporting local industry.
He revealed that all his clothes are made in Ghana and sewn by Ghanaian designers, including the safari suits he wears to work and official functions.
President Mahama also pointed out the practicality of African-made clothing, explaining that Ghana’s warmer climate makes such attire more suitable than heavy suits commonly worn in cooler regions of the continent.
“We need to adapt to clothes that make us comfortable in our weather,” he said, adding that his ultimate goal is to take the smock to global platforms, including the United Nations, as a symbol of African identity, culture, and self-confidence.
