The Member of Parliament for Hohoe, Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpo, has vowed to dress in Fugu throughout the parliamentary session until it is over.
The last few days have seen Ghanaians descend heavily on Zambians after the East Africans mocked Ghana’s President John Mahama, who dressed in Fugu during a recent public gathering.
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With no remorse for their actions, Zambians described the outfit as a ‘blouse’ as most suggested, but a revered Ghanaian traditional garment widely referred to as Batakari.
This drew huge criticism from some high-profile Ghanaians, including Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa; renowned YouTuber Wodemaya; astute sports journalist Saddick Adams; Deputy CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Abeiku Santana; and others.
Among other politicians who have veered into the issue is the MP for Hohoe, Hon. Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpo, who said the garment reveals our culture and identity as Ghanaians.
According to him, we can’t do without culture assimilation and not overly employ the culture of the white.
“This is culture. This is our identity. You see, we can’t do without culture assimilation, but we can’t totally employ the culture of the white people. Our independence, the day it was declared (1957), that night all those who declared the independence wore our traditional attire, and that shows patriotism,” he said.
He mentioned how other neighboring countries, through social media, have started trooping in for our smocks.
“South Africa and Nigeria are coming in for our smocks, so it’s a good thing that has happened, and that is the power of social media. So I’ve promised that from the very day this beef started that I’m going to wear smock until we are done with this session. I’m not going to put on any white man attire. ”,
He added that, to show how proud he is as a Ghanaian, he will continue to wear Fugu until parliamentary sittings are over.
“I’m going to wear a fugu and our traditional attire till this session is over. Yes, let’s showcase and be proud of what we have. One thing I love about Nigerians is that no matter what, they will be in their Agbada. Look at their president; hardly will you see him in a suit, but we’ve copied and overcopied the white people,” he concluded.
President Mahama and other top government officials are in Zambia for a three-day visit.
The tour seeks to establish bilateral talks aimed at strengthening diplomatic relations, enhancing trade and investment cooperation, and exploring collaborative opportunities within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
President Mahama is expected to return to Ghana on Friday, February 6.
