Adopt the smock, it’s not a blouse – Dr. Apaak to Zambians

Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Apaak has joined the cultural debate around Ghana’s smock, urging Zambians to embrace the outfit and understand its heritage.

Dr. Apaak made the remarks in a post on X on Friday, adding his voice to the ongoing conversation sparked by reactions to President John Dramani Mahama’s attire during his recent state visit to Zambia.

“Proud to be known by my guys in Tamale and Wa as the smock man,” Dr. Apaak wrote. “To our Zambian brothers, adopt our smock, it’s not a blouse.”

His comments follow days of intense online exchanges after some Zambian social media users criticised President Mahama’s outfit on his arrival in the country, with one describing the traditional fugu, also called batakari or smock, as a blouse.

The remark drew sharp responses from Ghanaians, many of whom described the comment as dismissive of a deeply rooted cultural symbol.

The controversy, has dominated social media discussions across Ghana and beyond, turning what began as criticism into a broader cultural conversation about identity, heritage and respect.

President Mahama has since downplayed the criticism, arguing that the episode has worked in Ghana’s favour, particularly for local artisans.

“The smock weavers in Ghana will be very happy because by the power of social media, we have given them branding and marketing that they couldn’t ever have dreamed of getting,” the President said during a television interview.

He added that global interest in the outfit had surged, noting that online searches for “fugu,” “batakari” and “smock” were rising.

Dr. Apaak’s intervention aligns with this narrative, framing the debate as an opportunity for cultural exchange rather than division.

His reference to Tamale and Wa, key cities in northern Ghana where smock weaving is prominent, underscored the garment’s origins and its importance to local communities.

The public response in Ghana has gone beyond words.

On Friday, hundreds of Ghanaian workers and students shared images and videos of themselves wearing various styles of smock on social media, transforming timelines into a virtual celebration of northern Ghanaian fashion.

The movement also found expression in Parliament, where Members of Parliament appeared in smocks as a symbolic gesture to project the outfit as suitable for formal and national occasions.

Many commentators described the gesture as a strong cultural statement and a show of national unity.

Fugu is traditionally made from hand-woven, narrow strips of thick cotton fabric stitched together into a structured, poncho-style garment.

Long associated with royalty, festivals and ceremonial events, it has increasingly been adopted in professional and political spaces.

For Dr. Apaak, the message to critics is simple: understanding precedes judgment.