The National Investment Bank (NIB), in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has launched a “Fugu Wednesday Wear” initiative in Tamale to promote the use of the traditional northern smock.
The launch took place on Wednesday, 25 February 2026, at the NIB UDS Branch in the Northern Regional capital. The event follows President John Dramani Mahama’s recent declaration designating Wednesdays as “Fugu Day” to encourage Ghanaians to wear the locally woven fabric.
Northern Regional Minister, Adolf Ali John, said the initiative was aimed at supporting local textile producers and expanding the market for fugu.
“The Fugu, often recognized as a symbol of elegance and tradition, goes beyond mere fashion. It represents the rich history and vibrant cultures of the North,” he said.
He said increasing patronage of the smock would directly benefit weavers, traders and small-scale producers across the northern regions.
“By promoting the wearing of Fugu, we are investing in local economies and ensuring that our cultural practices continue to thrive while providing sustainable livelihoods,” he added.
Mr. Ali John credited NIB’s Managing Director, Chief Dr. Doli-Wura, for backing the initiative and said the programme aligned with the government’s broader effort to revive local industries.
The Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Minister, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, described culture as an economic asset and said promoting indigenous attire could strengthen Ghana’s tourism offering.
“When a visitor arrives in Ghana and sees our people proudly adorned in Fugu, tastes our local cuisine, and hears our languages spoken with pride, they experience authenticity,” she said.
She added that culture should not be treated as ceremonial but as part of a deliberate economic strategy. “Culture is not ornamental. It is an industry, and it must be positioned as such,” she said.
Officials of the bank said the campaign would encourage staff and customers to wear fugu on Wednesdays as part of efforts to support local production.
The event was attended by representatives of the Ghana Tourism Authority, NIB management and staff, and members of the media.
Fugu, also known as batakari, is hand-woven in several northern communities and remains a significant source of income for many artisans.
The launch in Tamale forms part of efforts to mainstream the President’s Fugu Day policy and extend participation beyond government institutions.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
