Ghanaian traditional attire, the smock—locally called fugu or batakari—is capturing global attention following President H.E. John Dramani Mahama’s recent diplomatic visit to Zambia. In his end-of-visit interview, President Mahama highlighted the cultural and economic significance of the garment.

Speaking about the smock’s history, President Mahama said, “This is a traditional dress made by a local industry as part of our culture. In the past, it was worn by kings, royalty, and warriors. Our warriors believed that smocks soaked in herbs and blessed spiritually could protect them even in battle. The smock represents strength, identity, and heritage.”

Reflecting on its place in Ghanaian history, he added, “On the day our independence was declared, President Kwame Nkrumah and all the freedom fighters were wearing smocks. Since then, it has become an integral part of our cultural identity, and I want it recognized on the highest platforms in the world.”

President Mahama noted that his choice to wear the smock during official functions and on the global stage has generated widespread interest. “When I wore a smock at the United Nations, people started asking about it. Social media discussions exploded. The smock weavers in Ghana will be very happy because this has given them marketing and branding they could never have dreamed of,” he said.

During the visit to Zambia, President Mahama exchanged gifts with President Hakainde Hichilema. “He gave me a beautiful Zambian carving, which I will display in my office,” Mahama said. “I gifted him a smock, and he said he will order more to share with his citizens. This could open doors for cultural exchange and trade between our countries.”

President Mahama emphasized the importance of promoting local fashion as part of his presidency. “All my clothes are made by Ghanaian designers, and I wear them daily for work and official functions. Ghana’s warm climate makes traditional attire like the smock more comfortable than a suit and tie. It is practical, but also a way to show pride in our heritage,” he said.

He concluded with a vision for Ghana’s textile industry: “Through these efforts, I hope the smock becomes an export item, inspires fashion trends abroad, and showcases Ghanaian craftsmanship and culture to the world.”

The visit and the attention on the smock are expected to boost the profile of Ghanaian designers, while also opening new opportunities for trade and cultural collaboration with Zambia.

U.S. Virgin Islands – Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ghana Tourism Authority to establish a structured partnership aimed at strengthening tourism development, cultural exchange, trade facilitation, and investment promotion between Ghana and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The agreement was signed at the USVI-Africa Mini Summit held at The Westin Beach Resort and Spa at Frenchman’s Reef on St. Thomas, marking a significant step in deepening people-to-people ties and expanding economic cooperation between the African continent and the Virgin Islands.

Governor Bryan described the agreement as a move that goes beyond tourism to embrace shared heritage and economic opportunity.

“This memorandum is about more than travel. It is about connection,” he said, noting that the partnership aligns tourism with trade and investment priorities while creating opportunities for cultural, youth, and private-sector collaboration.

The MoU sets out key objectives including the promotion of two-way travel, joint destination marketing, integration of tourism with trade and investment strategies, and stronger engagement between communities and businesses in both jurisdictions.

Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Maame Efua Houadjeto, said the agreement reflects a shared commitment to long-term cooperation rooted in cultural ties and economic growth. She noted that the partnership positions both destinations to expand visitor arrivals, broaden market access, and develop joint tourism and heritage initiatives.

Under the agreement, cooperation will be driven through five key pillars. These include destination-to-destination tourism collaboration through joint marketing efforts and participation in international tourism exhibitions, as well as cultural and heritage exchange programmes that promote shared African-Caribbean history, creative industry partnerships, and youth and educational exchanges.

The MoU also covers airlift, cruise, and maritime tourism, with plans to engage airlines and cruise operators to improve connectivity, enhance port experiences, and share best practices in maritime tourism development.

In addition, the agreement promotes investment and private-sector engagement by highlighting tourism and hospitality investment opportunities, encouraging business partnerships, and supporting joint ventures in hotels, resorts, eco-tourism, and cultural tourism projects.

Capacity building and institutional cooperation form another pillar of the partnership, including professional exchange programmes, joint training in marketing, sustainability, digital transformation, and service delivery, as well as technical collaboration among relevant agencies.

The MoU allows for the appointment of focal persons and the creation of a Joint Working Committee to oversee implementation, timelines, and monitoring. It also specifies that the agreement does not impose financial obligations on either party, with any future commitments to be agreed upon separately.

The agreement takes effect immediately upon signing and will remain valid for five years, with the option of renewal by mutual consent.

Governor Bryan said the partnership represents a new chapter in relations between the two destinations, focused on choice, collaboration, and shared prosperity.

Broadcast journalist Lilly Mohammed has descended on Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, over the decision to issue a Ghanaian passport to American streamer IShowSpeed.

Speaking on GH Today, GHOne TV’s morning show, the host expressed strong dissatisfaction with the minister’s action, questioning the justification for granting Ghanaian citizenship to the internet personality after a brief visit to the country.

“Let’s get serious as a country. It’s like we’re not serious at all. Somebody comes to Ghana, he’s a streamer, he’s putting Ghana on the global map, he’s doing whatever. He comes for a day or two, and then you shove a Ghanaian passport into his hands. You’re not serious,” she said.

Lilly Mohammed stated that she could not see the importance of IShowSpeed’s visit that warranted the issuance of a Ghanaian passport.

“You’re not serious. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, you were somebody we had high expectations of. You shoved a Ghanaian passport into the hands of somebody who came here streaming and embarking on his own personal thing. Coming to step on our jollof, jumping on the Black Stars Square, what has that done to our GDP? What has it added to our economy?” she questioned.

The media personality further compared the situation to Ghanaian YouTuber Wode Maya, who has consistently promoted Africa on the global stage, asking whether any country had rewarded him with citizenship for his efforts.

“Wode Maya has been putting Ghana on the map globally. Have you seen America give him an American passport? Even Nigeria, has Nigeria given him a Nigerian passport? You entertain stupidity so much. You’ve given him a Ghanaian passport for what achievement? What has he done for Ghana?” she asked.

She also criticised the public reaction surrounding the visit, particularly an incident where some Ghanaians reportedly ate jollof rice that IShowSpeed had stepped on during his visit.

“You give him a Ghanaian passport because he sat on our jollof, and the moment he steps away, Ghanaians rush to eat it. You are not serious. With the greatest respect, let’s put some value on our passport. Let’s put value on this country,” she stressed.

Lilly Mohammed further lamented the difficulties faced by Ghanaian citizens in acquiring passports, contrasting it with the ease with which the streamer was allegedly granted one.

“Meanwhile, Ghanaians are queuing for passports. Ghanaian citizens born in this country, who by the Constitution are entitled to citizenship, are struggling. You say you have opened the passport system to eliminate goro boys, yet people are still finding it difficult to get a basic passport,” she said.

While clarifying that she had no personal issue with the streamer, she maintained that the decision to issue him a Ghanaian passport was unjustified.

“I have no problem with him. I didn’t even know him until he came to Ghana. It’s a beautiful thing what he’s doing, and it’s risky. For a young man, he’s very bold and deserves a pat on the back. However, to give him a Ghanaian passport, what has he done to deserve it? Let’s get serious in this country, for real,” she concluded.

Background

On Tuesday, January 27, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that the Ministry had approved the issuance of a Ghanaian passport to popular American streamer and internet personality IShowSpeed. According to the minister, the decision followed confirmation of what he described as the influencer’s “irrefutable ties” to Ghana.

IShowSpeed, an American streamer currently on an African tour highlighting the continent’s culture and lifestyle, arrived in Ghana on Sunday. He was officially welcomed on Monday, January 26, with a traditional Akan naming ceremony held in the Eastern Region.