Zambian President defends wearing traditional Ghanaian outfit amid social media criticism.

Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has joined an online cultural debate sparked by Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama, who arrived in Zambia wearing a traditional northern Ghanaian outfit known as a fugu. Some Zambians took to social media to mock the garment, jokingly calling it a “blouse.”

In response, Hichilema expressed his admiration for the attire, saying he would be “ordering more of that stuff” for himself, in a video shared on X from the Ghana–Zambia Business Forum held in Lusaka this week.

Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa suggested that the social media buzz shows a growing interest among young Africans in reclaiming and celebrating their cultural heritage. In Ghana, efforts to promote traditional clothing have inspired initiatives like “Fugu Friday,” when people wear African attire to honor their roots.

The debate gained traction online after Mahama arrived for a three-day state visit on Wednesday, proudly wearing the fugu—a hand‑woven, structured garment made from narrow strips of thick cotton, stitched together in a poncho-style design. In contrast, Zambian officials greeted him in suits and ties, sparking reactions on platforms like the Zambian Scorpion Facebook group.

Comments ranged from humorous to dismissive: Malama Mulenga called it a “maternity blouse,” Mwangala Imbula quipped, “Am coming to get that blouse,” and Master G wrote, “We love our blouse brothers.”

Ghanaian officials attending the forum emphasized the cultural significance of the fugu. Ablakwa described it as more than clothing—a symbol of African identity, dignity, and heritage. He said the online conversation had reignited interest among young people, encouraging them to embrace their cultural roots. “For those on social media curious about the attire… this is what Ghana’s founding father, Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah, wore when he declared independence on March 6, 1957,” he noted in a Facebook video.

Adding his voice to the discussion, popular Ghanaian YouTuber Wode Maya defended the outfit, saying it was not a “blouse” and that President Mahama’s choice intentionally promoted the local garment industry both at home and abroad. “It’s unfortunate that many, despite having smartphones and internet access, still choose to remain ignorant,” he remarked.

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