The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has underscored the growing importance of Fugu (smock) production as a driver of job creation, cultural preservation and tourism development during a joint engagement with smock dealers and producers in Accra.
The meeting, held on Monday, February 16, 2026, brought together representatives of smock associations from across the country to dialogue with government on practical measures to strengthen and expand the Fugu industry. The engagement was jointly led by the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, and formed part of ongoing stakeholder consultations aimed at boosting Ghana’s production value chains.
Addressing participants, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie encouraged smock producers to scale up production and position Fugu as both a cultural asset and an economic product with strong domestic and international appeal. She noted that the industry holds significant potential to create sustainable jobs, support creative enterprises and enhance Ghana’s cultural tourism offering.
The producers used the platform to outline key challenges affecting the sector, including difficulties in accessing cotton and thread, limited financing, and constraints in distribution. They also advocated the promotion of Fugu in basic, secondary and tertiary institutions to deepen national appreciation for the attire and sustain long-term demand.
Responding to the concerns raised, Hon. Ofosu-Adjare reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting the smock industry and urged producers to innovate and improve designs to make Fugu more attractive to younger consumers and new markets.
The Ministers also took note of calls for the creation of a common market to improve access to smock products and enhance visibility for producers nationwide.
The engagement comes amid renewed national and international interest in Fugu, following President John Dramani Mahama’s recent appearance in the attire during a state visit to Zambia, which further spotlighted Ghana’s indigenous textiles on the global stage.
As part of broader efforts to promote local production and cultural pride, government has also designated Wednesdays as “Fugu Day”, encouraging citizens to wear the smock in support of the industry.
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts reaffirmed its commitment to working with stakeholders across the value chain to position Fugu as a symbol of Ghanaian identity and a catalyst for inclusive economic growth.
Source: Delassie Mabel Awuku- PR Unit -MoTCCA
