The Member of Parliament for Hohoe Constituency, Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpo, has pledged to wear only fugu (smock) and other traditional Ghanaian attire throughout the ongoing parliamentary session, in a show of cultural pride sparked by recent social media banter between Ghanaians and Zambians.
The Hohoe MP made the commitment during an interview in Parliament on Friday, February 6, 2026, amid a wave of national solidarity following online reactions to President John Dramani Mahama’s choice of fugu during his state visit to Zambia.
In the viral exchange, some Zambian social media users mockingly described the traditional northern Ghanaian smock, also known as batakari, as a “blouse,” prompting strong pushback from Ghanaians who highlighted its cultural significance as a symbol of strength, identity, and heritage.
Worlanyo Tsekpo noted that the controversy has brought unprecedented attention and market boost to Ghana’s smock weavers.
“This has given market and publicity to those who weave the smock, more than before and it is good. South Africans are coming to order our smock, Nigerians are coming in to order our smock. So it is a good thing that has happened and that is the power of social media,” he said.
“I promised that from three days ago when this beef started, that this session till we are done, I am not going to put on any whiteman attire. I am going to wear fugu and our traditional attire until this session is over,” he further explained his personal stance.
The MP urged Ghanaians to embrace and showcase their cultural assets proudly, contrasting it with what he described as excessive imitation of Western styles.
“Lets showcase, let us be proud of what we have. One thing I like about Nigeria is that no matter what they will be in their agbada, no matter who the person is. Look at their president, hardly will you see them in suit. But we have copied and overcopied the white people. Now look at market those dealing in smock are getting. So it’s a good thing,” he added.
His comments followed a display across Ghana including Parliament on Friday dubbed “Fugu Friday” where dozens of MPs from both sides of the House arrived in colourful fugu smocks to celebrate Ghanaian culture and defend the attire’s prestige following the online debate.
President Mahama himself described the social media attention as free global marketing for Ghana’s smock industry, noting increased interest and even orders from abroad.