Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama (L) with Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema (R)
President of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, has waded into the social media clash between Zambians and Ghanaians over the outfit worn by Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama when he arrived for an official state visit to Zambia on February 4, 2026.
In a recent development to the social media banter between Zambians and Ghanaians over President Mahama’s fashion choice, President Hakainde Hichilema has praised his minister for patronising Ghana’s fugu.
He went further to state that he would order some fugu for himself.
“And I’m very happy that foreign minister, you are dressed like that. I asked my team to post on various platforms that the president of Zambia would be ordering more of that stuff for himself,” the Zambia president said to applause from the gathering.
President Mahama, who is on an official visit to the southern African country, wore a traditional African smock, known as fugu and commonly associated with northern Ghana, paired with blue-and-black jeans and black shoes as Zambian officials received him.
After images of the president’s official welcome circulated online, some Zambian social media users, unfamiliar with the attire, took to various platforms to mock the outfit.
However, many Ghanaians responded to the comments, defending the president and the cultural significance of the attire, sparking heated exchanges between users from both countries.
The president of Zambia appears to have now put the matter to rest.
Social media uproar as Ghanaians, Zambians clash over Mahama's fashion choices
Watch a video of his remarks below:
@tv3gh_official President of Zambia 🇿🇲 has ordered more Fugu after admiring the Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa in a colourful smock/fugu/batakari. #3NewsGH #TV3GH
♬ original sound - TV3 Ghana
BAI/VPO
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