In a bid to demonstrate pride in a cultural attire that was the butt of jokes by Zambians last week, Ghana has declared Fugu Day every Wednesday beginning on February 11.
There was an impassioned online debate following mocking reference to the Fugu as a blouse or ballerina dress worn by Ghanaian men. President Johm Mahama has worn the outfit as he strode along with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema during last week’s state visit to Lusaka. Apparently unfamiliar with it Zambians had laughed at President Mahama looking ”strange in a female blouse”.
Ghanaians went in spirited defense of the dress describing it as a mark of royalty and ecouraged Zambians to learn about other African cultures before deriding them. To mollify any resentment Ghanaians may have about Zambians’ reaction to Fugu, President Hichilema had promised to purchase the dress to wear it publicly and demonstrate love for the West African country’s culture.
President Mahama has vowed to send ‘bulks of Fugus” to Zambia.
The Ghanaian government has taken its demonstration of pride in Fugu further by declaring it the national outfit every Wednesday for eternity.
Tourism minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie said the idea is to bring to international focus Fugu as a symbol of Ghanaian royalty and pride.
Also known locally as batakari, Fugu is traditional hand-made cotton fabric which originated from northern Ghana and usually worn not only by chiefs and others of social consequence but also by ordinary people taken with its disparate designs and colours.
“The government hopes that this collective embrace of Fugu will strengthen national unity, stimulate the creative economy, and serve as a powerful symbol of Ghana’s cultural confidence and self-expression,” Gomashie said.
WN/as/APA