Over the years, Ghanaians have increasingly embraced locally made fabrics, a trend that gained prominence when Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah, wore a traditional outfit during the Independence Day celebration.
Dr Kwame Nkrumah chose to wear the northern smock, popularly known as fugu, during the declaration of independence to elevate its status and add value to the indigenous fabric.
Recently, the wearing of the smock, locally referred to as “fugu”, has once again become a topic of discussion after President John Dramani Mahama’s outfit drew the attention of Zambians online.
Read the original article published on March 7, 2025, by GhanaWeb:
In recent years, there has been an increase in the wearing of local prints, predominantly on days like Fridays, and in special instances like throughout March in celebration of Ghana Month.
The Ghana Tourism Authority also launched a campaign aimed at promoting domestic tourism, dubbed “See Ghana, Eat Ghana, Wear Ghana, and Feel Ghana.”
This initiative seeks to promote and showcase Ghanaian fashion and heritage, supporting local designers and artisans through events like fashion shows and exhibitions.
But did you know that Ghana’s first president, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, initiated the Wear Ghana agenda during his era?
Uncovering this on GhanaWeb TV’s People and Places hosted by Ernestina Serwaa Asante, the Director of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum, Edward Quao, said the reason Nkrumah chose to wear the northern smock during the Independence Day declaration was to elevate its status and add value to it.
At the time, the smock was perceived as an attire for the poor and underprivileged in society.
During the declaration of independence at the old Polo Ground, Nkrumah and his close associates, including Kojo Botsio, Komla Agbeli Gbedemah, Archie Casely Hayford, and Krobo Edusei, all wore northern smocks and hats inscribed with “PG,” meaning “Prison Graduate.”
Nkrumah also adorned the famous kente cloth for various occasions, showcasing the Ghanaian and African identity.
This deliberate choice was a call for Ghanaians and Africans to embrace their culture and heritage proudly.
Edward Quao said, “They wore the northern smock because Nkrumah chose it intentionally before independence. At the time, the smock was seen as attire for the downtrodden, so, he selected a particular smock to add value to it and show appreciation for everyone.
“He wrapped himself in kente and wore the smock to draw more attention to them. This, in turn, helped promote, appreciate, and encourage the wearing of our smocks,” Quao told Ernestina Serwaa Asante on People and Places on GhanaWeb TV.
He further said, “He believed that we should have our own personality and identity in every form or shape. Our clothing, food, and everything we do should reflect who we are as Ghanaians and Africans.”
Watch this Ghana Month special edition of People and Places as we hear the story of how the head of Kwame Nkrumah’s bronze statue was returned after 43 years, below:
