06/02/2026
Zambia's has given us the opportunity to promote our fugu internationally. This is the time to make fugu international.
🍾🥂🙏🔥💪🇬🇭
President John Dramani Mahama’s choice to wear a traditional smock during his state visit to Zambia has drawn dismissive reactions from some Zambian social media users. In several online comments, the Ghanaian smock - also known as Fugu or Batakari - was wrongly referred to as a “blouse,” with others making sarcastic comparisons to chitenge cloth usage and questioning its cultural meaning.
The comments emerged as President Mahama engaged Zambian officials and the public, including President Hakainde Hichilema, during the visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations. The remarks have since triggered strong responses from Ghanaians online, many of whom defended the smock as a respected Ghanaian traditional attire and an intentional promotion of indigenous culture and local industry.
