Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie Urges Ghanaians to Wear African Attire Daily to Boost Cultural Identity and Keep Money in the Economy
The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has called on all Ghanaians to adopt the habit of wearing African clothing every day as a powerful way to preserve cultural heritage, strengthen national identity, and retain economic value within the country.
Speaking in an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Face to Face on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, Madam Gomashie emphasised that consistent use of local attire goes beyond fashion — it is an economic and cultural statement.
“Wear your African clothes every day. That is what keeps the money in the country,” she said. “We’re not just promoting tourism for people to just come and see and go. By promoting tourism, we’re promoting heritage. There’s a tangible part, and there’s an intangible part, and all of it together makes tourism thrive.”
The Minister explained that encouraging daily wear of African prints, kente, fugu, and other traditional fabrics supports local weavers, tailors, designers, dyers, and entire value chains in the creative and textile sectors. She stressed that when Ghanaians prioritise locally made clothing, money circulates within communities rather than leaving the country through imported fashion.
“You shouldn’t wait for me to tell you or suggest to you to wear ‘fugu’ on Wednesday; you should decide that every day you are going to wear a print that identifies us,” she urged.
Madam Gomashie also addressed the introduction of Wednesday as “Fugu Day” — a deliberate campaign to promote traditional smock (fugu) attire in offices, schools, and public spaces. She chose midweek to give the initiative structure and memorability.
“To be deliberate about promoting ‘fugu’, we had to give it a day. And mid-week, I thought that it just looked and sounded right. To make it a mid-week wear,” she explained.
She commended Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin for encouraging the use of African attire in the House of Parliament, describing it as a symbolic and positive step toward mainstreaming Ghanaian cultural identity in formal spaces.
The Minister’s appeal aligns with the government’s broader agenda to promote the creative arts, support local industries, reduce import dependence on textiles and fashion, and position Ghana as a proud showcase of African heritage through tourism and everyday life.
Her message has resonated widely on social media, with many Ghanaians sharing photos of themselves in African prints and calling for wider adoption of the daily wear habit. The initiative is expected to gain further momentum through public campaigns, school programmes, and workplace policies in the coming months.
