I Thank Zambians for Marketing our Fugu- Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has expressed his appreciation to Zambians for marketing the Ghanaian smock.

In what was intended to be a mockery of the outfit, the smock, known locally as Fugu or Batakari, has gained global recognition.

“The smock weavers in Ghana will be very happy because I, by power of social media, have been given them branding and marketing that they couldn’t ever have dreamed ever of getting and I’m sure that by the time I leave, the number searches on google for Batakari and smock is going to be quite high and it was just because of an innocuous statement,” he remarked in an interview.

President Mahama explained that smocks are an integral part of Ghanaian identity.

He recalled that he wore it as part of his intention to promote the local fashion industry through his presidency.

“I’ve won the smock to the United Nations, the highest platform in the world. I’m surprised Zambians didn’t see me in a smock. When I gave the speech that everybody is talking about, I was in a smock. I’m surprised they didn’t notice it till I visited Zambia.”

He also disclosed he had gifted the Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema, a smock during an exchange of presents on his arrival on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

“Incidentally, when I arrived, we exchanged gifts, I and President Hichilema. He gave me a beautiful Zambian cabin. I appreciate it so much. I’m going to put it in my office and label it as a gift from President Hichilema, then I gave him a Fugu, so he said he is going to order some more and distribute it to his Zambian countrymen.”

It comes after Zambians mocked President Mahama’s outfit on his arrival in the country on Wednesday in a smock.

Social media users described it as a woman’s ‘blouse’, sparking mockery and lighthearted rebuttal from Ghanaians at home.

Story by Hajara Fuseini

Click to read more: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/