John Mahama’s attire despite its cultural significance to Ghanaians sparked a social media banter as some Zambians mockingly labeled a “blouse.”
An outfit worn by Ghana’s President John Mahama as he arrived in Zambia for a three‑day state visit has ignited debate among Ghanaians and Zambians across multiple social media platforms.
The President arrived in Lusaka on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, dressed in a traditionally woven Ghanaian smock, while the First Lady wore a classic kaba and slit.
Mahama’s attire, a blue, white, grey, and yellow handwoven plaid tunic, is a style widely worn at official and social gatherings in Ghana, especially in the Northern Regions.
Known as Fugu, Smock or Batakari, the garment is traditionally worn by chiefs and kings and is commonly reserved for significant occasions.
It also carries historical importance, having been worn by Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, when he declared the nation’s independence.
Despite its cultural importance, some Zambians took to social media to describe the President’s outfit as a “blouse,” arguing that the design resembles clothing typically worn by women.
“He was coming in the night so he mistakenly wore the blouse of the madam,” A Zambian user Kelly Chipalo wrote on Facebook. Another asked, “why is that presido putting on a blouse?”
For some Zambians, the President’s attire is typically worn by women in the country either with a skirt or stockings, highlighting the cultural differences between the two nations.
The trolls have however caught the attention of several Ghanaian influencers including travel enthusiast, Wodemaya who has described the trolls as “unfortunate.”
“Dear Zambians, the outfit worn by our President is not a BLOUSE. It is a Ghanaian traditional attire known as FUGU, also called Batakari.”
“Our President is intentionally promoting the local garment industry both within and beyond our borders, unlike your President, whose suit is not Africa,” Wodemaya wrote.
Dear Zambians, The outfit worn by our President is not a BLOUSE. It is a Ghanaian traditional attire known as FUGU, also called Batakari. Our President is intentionally promoting the local garment industry both within and beyond our borders, unlike your President, whose suit is… pic.twitter.com/ifhkUVv9sK
A former Ghanaian legislator, Ras Mubarak, in a post on Facebook, criticized the trolls describing them as ignorant.
“Guys, that’s not funny. That’s sad. When we don’t even recognize our own brothers traditional drip, how are we supposed to build the unity we keep preaching about,” he asked.
A former Editor-in-Chief at the United Nations, Ben Dotsei Malor also wrote “why would some Zambian brothers and sisters fail, or refuse to recognize and celebrate the solid authentic African traditional values attached to the fugu, smock or batakari that President Mahama wore?
