On a busy street in central Accra, Clement Azaabire hangs neatly sewn fugu smocks on lines, the striped, multicolored fabrics swaying in the breeze. For 15 years, Azaabire has proudly sold the garment that is associated with his community in northern Ghana. Now, it’s the talk of town.
More Ghanaians are wearing the colorful traditional outfit with pride in a trend triggered by online mockery.
Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama in early February visited Zambia wearing a fugu garment, prompting ridicule from some social media users. Ghanaians responded by defending what they felt was a rich cultural heritage, and Tourism Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie took it a step further by declaring Wednesdays as “Fugu Day.”
Since the “Fugu Day” declaration on Feb. 10, more people are wearing the smock to work on Wednesdays, but also on other days. And traders like Azaabire are selling out their stock.
“It makes me
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