Lusaka: 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 during his official state visit to Zambia on February 4, 2026.
According to Ghana Web, the social media banter centered around President Mahama's choice of attire-a traditional African smock known as fugu, commonly associated with northern Ghana. President Mahama paired the fugu with blue-and-black jeans and black shoes for his official welcome in Zambia. The outfit sparked mixed reactions online, with some Zambian social media users mocking the unfamiliar attire, while Ghanaians defended its cultural significance.
In a recent development, President Hichilema praised his foreign minister for wearing the Ghanaian fugu and expressed his intention to order some for himself. During a gathering, he stated, "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," which was met with applause.
The exchanges between Zambian and Ghanaian social media users appear to have been addressed, with President Hichilema's remarks aiming to embrace the cultural attire and ease tensions.