Hichilema Backs Ghanaian ‘Fugu’ After Online Mockery (Blouse)
Published on February 9, 2026 at 3:14 PM by Evance Kapito
Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has weighed into an online cultural debate sparked by the outfit worn by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama during his State Visit to Zambia.
Mahama arrived in Lusaka on Wednesday for a three-day visit wearing a traditional northern Ghanaian garment known as a fugu, a poncho-style outfit made from hand-woven strips of thick cotton fabric stitched together. The attire drew mixed reactions on social media, with some Zambians mockingly referring to it as a “blouse”.
Speaking at the Ghana–Zambia Business Forum in Lusaka, Hichilema expressed admiration for the outfit and dismissed the criticism.
“We’ll be ordering more fugu from Ghana following the social media conversations,” he said in a video shared on X.
The debate had intensified online, with several social media users posting humorous comments about the garment. However, Ghanaian officials used the moment to highlight the cultural significance of the attire.
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the attention had sparked renewed interest among young people in African heritage. He described the fugu as a symbol of African identity, dignity and history, noting that Ghana’s founding president Kwame Nkrumah wore the attire during the country’s independence declaration in 1957.
The discussion has also revived interest in Ghana’s “Fugu Friday” initiative, which encourages citizens to wear traditional clothing.
The exchange has since been viewed by officials from both countries as an opportunity to promote African culture and local garment industries.
BBC
