Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has revealed that Ghana’s traditional fugu attire is set to gain wider recognition across the continent, with ECOWAS foreign ministers requesting the garment in their national colours.
Speaking on the growing international demand for fugu, Ablakwa said, “ECOWAS foreign ministers have also told me that at the next ECOWAS meeting I should give them. They want them in their national colours. So that is the special assignment they’ve given me. So I’m going to do fugu for all the African foreign ministers in their national colours, for all the foreign ministers. And then their presidents as well.”
The Minister highlighted that the momentum for Ghanaian fabrics is strong, and he has instructed Ghanaian ambassadors and high commissions to organise fugu and kente fairs during national day celebrations to ride the international interest.
“With the coming national day celebrations, the 6th of March, they should all organise a fugu and kente fair so that this international momentum, we can all ride on it positively. It’s good for economic diplomacy,” he said.
Ablakwa also praised the unexpected boost in global attention for the traditional wear.
The Minister said a major fugu and kente trade exhibition is scheduled for March in Zambia, which he expects will further cement Ghana’s economic diplomacy agenda and provide opportunities for young entrepreneurs to expand their businesses.
This initiative, he said, positions Ghanaian traditional fabrics as a key tool for regional engagement and continental cultural promotion, with fugu set to become a symbol of “Made in Ghana” excellence across West Africa.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Fred Duhoe
