Zambia's president has weighed into a cultural debate that has erupted online after the president of Ghana arrived in Zambia wearing a traditional outfit called a fugu. Some Zambians mockingly called it a blouse.
But Zambia's leader hit back by sharing his love for the design, saying he would be ordering more of that stuff for himself, in a video posted on social media from the Ghana–Zambia Business Forum held in Lusaka this week.
Ghana's foreign minister noted the social media buzz as a sign that young people were keen to reclaim their cultural roots.
In Ghana itself, a move to encourage traditional outfits has initiated Fugu Friday, a day dedicated to wearing African clothing.
Following days of online back and forth between netizens of the two countries, President Hakainde Hichilema expressed his admiration for the Ghanaian outfit.
We'll be ordering more fugu from Ghana following the social media conversations, Hichilema stated at a recent event in Zambia's capital, Lusaka.
When Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama arrived for a three-day State Visit, he proudly wore a traditional fugu - a hand-woven outfit from Northern Ghana, contrasting with his Zambian counterpart's suit and tie.
This choice elicited a strong reaction from some Zambians online, with mocking comments in various social media groups. However, officials from Ghana emphasized the cultural significance of the fugu, with Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa describing it as a symbol of African identity and heritage. He encouraged a cultural renaissance among the youth to reclaim and celebrate their roots.
A Ghanaian YouTuber added his voice to the debate, emphasizing that the fugu is not merely clothing but a vital part of promoting local culture and industry.
