Ghana’s Tourism Minister, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has condemned Zambians for mocking President John Dramani Mahama’s traditional fugu smock during his state visit to Zambia, describing the remarks as “shocking” and “culturally insensitive”. The fugu, a symbol of Ghanaian identity and cultural expression, was mistakenly referred to as a “blouse” by some Zambian social media users, sparking outrage among Ghanaians.
The Minister emphasized that Ghanaian leaders, including Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and Jerry John Rawlings, have proudly worn the smock, highlighting its significance in Ghanaian culture. President Mahama also weighed in on the controversy, expressing surprise that the outfit only became a topic of discussion during his Zambia visit, despite wearing it to the UN General Assembly in September 2025.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about African identity, cultural literacy, and intra-African respect.
