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Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has reacted humorously to the social media debate surrounding President John Dramani Mahama’s choice of attire during his ongoing state visit to Zambia, saying his country will be ordering more Ghanaian fugu.
President Hichilema made the remark at the Ghana–Zambia Business Forum on Friday, February 6, 2026, as President Mahama continues a three-day state visit focused on strengthening bilateral and economic relations between the two countries.
While the visit has featured several high-level diplomatic engagements, public attention has largely shifted to President Mahama’s outfit. The Ghanaian leader was seen wearing a fugu, a traditional northern Ghanaian smock that symbolises identity, pride and cultural heritage.
The attire sparked lively reactions on social media, with many Ghanaians praising the president for promoting local culture on an international stage. However, some Zambian social media users referred to the garment as a “blouse,” triggering backlash and spirited online exchanges between citizens of both countries.
Addressing the issue light-heartedly, President Hichilema welcomed the cultural conversation generated by the outfit.
“I am very happy that the foreign minister is wearing that,” he said, referring to Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. “So I have asked my team to post on various platforms that the president of Zambia will be ordering more of that for himself.”
Responding to the comments, Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa said the debate had gone beyond fashion and sparked a broader discussion on African identity.
“This is my president’s favourite attire, the fugu,” he said. “We are all excited about the buzz that the president’s deliberate choice of apparel has created. It has triggered a renaissance in what Kwame Nkrumah described as the African personality.”
He added that the conversation touched on deeper issues of self-worth, identity and cultural pride.
“That will reclaim the African identity, dignity and culture. So when we talk about restitution and reparation, it is not just about compensation for the transatlantic slave trade. It is a mental effort to go back to our roots and our identity,” the foreign minister noted.
What began as online banter has since evolved into a light-hearted cultural exchange, highlighting Africa’s shared heritage and the importance of embracing indigenous traditions on the global stage.
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